By: Patrick Cunanan & Edward Principe The Berlin Wall By: Patrick Cunanan & Edward Principe
Introduction Potsdam Conference Allied Forces divided it into 4 sectors: Soviet Union made East Germany Allied powers occupied the West -Protect the Socialist state Lasted until end of Cold War (1945-90) Built in 1961
Introduction cont.
Important People John F. Kennedy Helmut Kohl Ronald Reagan Lyndon B. Johnson Mikhail Gorbachev Margaret Thatcher “Iron Lady”
Structure and Layout of the Wall Wire fence (1961) Improved wire fence (1962–1965) Concrete wall (1965–1975) Grenzmauer 75 (Border Wall 75) (1975–1989)
Mass Emigration Soviet Union moved German citizens to the designated areas Moved from East to West Before, managed to industrialize the West -Rhineland, Ruhr Significant loss of population
Symbolism of the Wall Khruschev- Communist propaganda message failed Citizens of Berlin- Families and friends and were completely separated Differences of Ideologies, Two Worlds pg. 81-89
Iron Curtain Winston Churchill -made public the political symbol of it Competing ideologies (Communist VS Free) “Impenetrable Barrier” of Soviets Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, etc. West- open Market, democracy
Opposition "Ich bin ein Berliner" and "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Speech
Political Differences Alienated Soviet involvement in Western European politics Resistance met from West Communist ideology Western freedom trying to access eastern side
Kennedy and Flexible Response Kennedy allowed the Berlin wall to go up Flexible Response alternative to massive retaliation method ”deter all wars, general or limited, nuclear or unconventional, large or small”
Other Foreign Responses Threatened by Russian annexation of resources Protect the western ideal Collapse ignited rise of Chinese socialism NATO allies conflict over organized government in the East
Eventual Decline Decline of border security and control (emigration) People were known to try to escape to the other side Resulted into people being executed or dying from the traps Political decline - disoriented government
Iron Curtain Today Partially deconstructed (Main) Functioning zone south of Czech Republic Monument to the divide of ideology Formal reunification of East and West -October 3, 1990
Berlin Wall Portrayed Today in Games
Video- Fall of the Wall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK1MwhEDjHg
THE END