1. The Berlin Wall

2. Why were East and West Germany split?
World War II: between 1939 – 1945 Germany was at war with Britain, Russia, the United States and other countries.
In May of 1945 Germany surrendered to Russia and the United States.

3. Why were East and West Germany split?
Russia and the United States agreed to split Germany
The United States gained control of the western half of Germany
Russia gained control of the eastern half of Germany

4. Berlin
The city of Berlin was split between Russia and the United States as well even though it was located in East Germany
United States took West Berlin
Russia took East Berlin

5. So what is the difference?
United States is a Republic and practices Capitalism
Republic: a government in which supreme power belongs to the citizens through their right to vote
Capitalism: economic system in which companies and businesses are owned by people not by the government.
The government does not usually mess with businesses and companies
West Berlin and West Germany were also a republic and practiced capitalism

6. So what is the difference?
Russia was a Communist country
Communism: an economic and government system in which the government controls businesses and companies
The goal of this type of government is to make everyone equal
East Berlin and East Germany were also Communist

7. The Berlin Wall
August 13, 1961: East German troops began to close the boarder between East and West Berlin in the middle of the night.
August 15, 1961: the fist concrete blocks were used to keep people from escaping from East Germany to West Germany

8. Berlin Wall Being Built

9. Berlin Wall
171 people were killed or died attempting to escape from East Germany to West Germany at the Berlin Wall between August 13, 1961 and November 9, 1989.

10. Escaping from East Berlin
People from East Berlin would try to tunnel beneath the Wall to West Berlin

11. Escaping from East Berlin
One family even flew a hot air balloon over the Wall

12. Berlin and Germany Reunited
On October 3, 1990 Berlin and Germany were reunited