The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 to prevent mass emigration from East Berlin and East Germany to the western sectors. It split families and symbolized the division of Germany and Europe during the Cold War. In 1989, a new government in East Germany announced citizens could freely cross into West Berlin, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall that November as people celebrated the end of the division. German reunification was formally achieved in 1990.

1. The Berlin WallBy: Gina and Pear

2. BackgroundAfter WWII, Berlin was divided into 4 occupation zones. The Marshall Plan (US) aided Western Berlin(1947)Increased emigrationto the Western side.

3. Building of the WallOn August 13, 1961, construction began (barb wire). On August 15, concrete blocks were built. Symbol of the Cold War"Berlin wird leben und die Mauer wird fallen." ("Berlin will live and the wall will fall.") – Willy Brandt .. Mayor of West Berlin

4. Berlin in the 1960s-1980sMany families were splitAmericans complainedIn 1972, West Berliners were guaranteed access to East Berlin People in the West had more freedom than the East (Economic Miracle) - could travel freelyEast Berlin West Berlin

5. The Fall of Berlin WallCommunist countries rose up but failed (1950-1970)New Government in East Germany elected (1989)Schabowski was sent to speak to a press ConferenceIn November 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall was openedSymbol for the end of Cold War"we have decided today (um) to implement a regulation that allows every citizen of the German Democratic Republic (um) to (um) leave the GDR through any of the border crossings.“WHEN?"immediately, without delay."

6. Result/ConsequencesApproximately 200 people killedOn October 3, 1990: Union between East and West Germany

7. Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall#Immediate_effectshttp://www.coldwar.org/articles/80s/fall_berlin_wall.asphttp://www.wilsoncenter.org/coldwarfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=units.details&thisunit=1&page=14