Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was a significant reason people left East Berlin for West Berlin?
What was a significant reason people left East Berlin for West Berlin?
Which notable figure was the mayor of West Berlin during the prosperous period of the 1950s?
Which notable figure was the mayor of West Berlin during the prosperous period of the 1950s?
What major action contributed to the poor state of East Berlin by the mid-1950s?
What major action contributed to the poor state of East Berlin by the mid-1950s?
Which country had direct command over East Berlin?
Which country had direct command over East Berlin?
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What was a notable feature of West Berlin compared to East Berlin in the 1950s?
What was a notable feature of West Berlin compared to East Berlin in the 1950s?
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What percentage of the East German population is estimated to have left between 1948 and 1961?
What percentage of the East German population is estimated to have left between 1948 and 1961?
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What was one of the reasons initially believed by the East German government for the mass exodus?
What was one of the reasons initially believed by the East German government for the mass exodus?
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What type of individuals comprised a large portion of those leaving East Germany?
What type of individuals comprised a large portion of those leaving East Germany?
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What was the primary concern of East Germany regarding educated individuals leaving the country?
What was the primary concern of East Germany regarding educated individuals leaving the country?
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What was the symbolic significance of educated individuals leaving East Germany?
What was the symbolic significance of educated individuals leaving East Germany?
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What action did Walter Ulbricht seek from Khrushchev to prevent educated East Germans from leaving?
What action did Walter Ulbricht seek from Khrushchev to prevent educated East Germans from leaving?
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When was the barbed wire barrier around West Berlin erected?
When was the barbed wire barrier around West Berlin erected?
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What was one consequence faced by families when the barrier was erected?
What was one consequence faced by families when the barrier was erected?
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What improvements were made to the initial barbed wire barrier?
What improvements were made to the initial barbed wire barrier?
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What measures did the Eastern government implement to thwart the exit of individuals to the West?
What measures did the Eastern government implement to thwart the exit of individuals to the West?
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What was the perception of Western governments when the barrier was first erected?
What was the perception of Western governments when the barrier was first erected?
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Study Notes
Berlin Wall 1961
- The Berlin Wall was constructed in 1961.
- West Berlin was thriving in the mid-1950s.
- The US, Britain, and France rebuilt West Berlin.
- West Berlin had its own mayor (Willy Brandt) and used West German currency.
- West Berlin had modern conveniences like electricity, television, grocery stores, and retail shops.
- West Berlin was a prosperous and appealing city compared to East Berlin.
- East Berlin was under Soviet Union control and highly influenced by East Germany.
- East Berlin faced poverty and a poor state by the 1950s.
- Collectivization policies in East Germany led to a poor population.
- The Soviets didn't rebuild East Berlin and East Germany as well as the U.S. and Britain rebuilt West Germany and West Berlin.
- East Berlin was stripped of valuable items at the end of World War II.
- East Berlin lacked many modern conveniences like electricity and television.
- A large exodus of people left East Germany and East Berlin.
- Escape was easy from East Berlin to West Berlin since there was no border between them.
Exodus
- People left East Germany and East Berlin because they were unhappy with their lives under Communism.
- People didn't believe in Communism and the Communist leaders.
- Approximately 20-30% of East Germany's population left between 1948-1961.
- The most educated and skilled East Germans left, including teachers, professors, doctors, scientists, accountants, mechanics, artists, and engineers.
- The departing educated was a symbolic defeat for East Germany.
The Wall - Phase 1
- On August 13, 1961, a barbed wire barrier was erected around West Berlin.
- Checkpoints remained open but were regulated with passports and exit passes.
- Many people were caught unawares on that Sunday morning as they were visiting friends, family, attending church, etc.
- Western Governments were concerned that this action might be a prelude to an attack.
Status Quo and Wall Improvements
- The barbed wire was replaced by a concrete wall.
- The wall included death strips, car traps, guard towers, and guard dogs.
- The wall prevented emigration but symbolized the failure of the East Germans to persuade their citizens that Communism was a good idea.
Who Left?
- The most educated and skilled individuals, such as teachers, doctors, scientists, etc. left because they weren't satisfied with their lives in East Germany, or their lack of education, culture, and technological development in comparison to the West.
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Description
Explore the fascinating history of the Berlin Wall, constructed in 1961, and its impact on East and West Berlin. Discover the stark contrasts in living conditions, governance, and culture between the two sides during the Cold War era. This quiz delves into the events leading to the wall's construction and its significance in the geopolitical landscape.
