2. Condition iinn EEaasstt BBeerrlliinn dduurriinngg tthhee 5500ss
At the end of World War II, Berlin, was
divided into four quarters, each controlled
by the Allies and the Soviet Union.
The Communists in East Berlin were making
it increasingly difficult for transportation
between East Berlin and West Berlin.
They feared that too many skilled
workmen were moving to parts of West
Germany.
3. PPuurrppoossee ooff tthhee WWaallll
Many people in East Berlin saw that life
in West Berlin was much better and that
people in West Berlin had much more
freedom.
From 1949 to 1961, as many as
2.6 million people escaped to
West Berlin.
To prevent more people from fleeing
Communist control into West Germany,
East Germany build the Berlin Wall,
completely encircling West Berlin.
The purpose was to cut off West
Berlin from the rest of East Berlin.
4. Many people in East
Germany tried to escape
into West Germany.
However, there were
guards at the Wall at all
times. Thousands of people
were arrested or even shot
down for attempting to
cross the Wall
5. TThhee FFaallll ooff tthhee BBeerrlliinn WWaallll
In September 1989, a
string of protest
demonstrations broke out
all over East Germany.
This was the start of what
the East Germans call the
“Peaceful Revolution”.
6. By November, 1989,
protests had increased
significantly.
Soon enough, the East
Germans were forced
to open a number of
new border crossings.
From then on, Germans
were allowed to cross
from the East to the
West without a visa.
7. On June 13th, 1990, the East
Germans officially started
dismantling the Wall. The Fall of
the Berlin Wall was the first step
to the reunification of Germany.
The dismantling continued until
November 1991. Only a few
sections and towers were left
standing as memorials.
8. When the Berlin Wall fell,
it lead to the end of the
What Impact Did the Fall of the
Berlin Wall Have?
Cold War.
The Fall of the Berlin
Wall also symbolized
the end and
dismantling of the
Communist Block in
Eastern Europe,
namely Germany.
The Communists ceased to be
such an influential party in
Germany after reunification.
9. The union of east and
west lead to increase in
population and a bigger
market, which was an
opportunity for other
What Impact Did the Fall of the
Berlin Wall Have?
countries.
Huge increase in foreign
direct investment and
cross border trade of
goods, services and
labor.
Lead to the enhancement of
Europe’s position in the
International affairs.