All through the 1950’s and the early 1960’s, those of both Berlins were able to crossover to visit family and go to work. In the effort to cease to a wave of refugees from East Berlin, a communist government in East Germany instantly started construction on a border to prevent the attempts of refugees to escape to West Germany. On the night of August 12, 1961, East Berlin soldiers marched to where East and West Berlin met and started to close off entrances to West Berlin. Construction crews started to destruct roads that led into West Berlin. Barbed wire was posted as a temporary border and guards were put on duty to prevent those who attempt to crossover.
Nine border crossings were available to access between East and West Berlin. There were several other border crossings existed for visits by West Germany to East Germany. Those crossings were restricted according to which nationality was allowed to use it. West Germans and citizens of other Western countries could in general visit East Germany. East German authorities could refuse entry permits without stating a reason.
This wall stood almost 12 feet tall, and kept a solid border to divide the East and West Berlin. The wall would stretch to divide the Berlins for nearly 87 miles. The Berlin Wall, a barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 all the way to 1989. After days of protests, East Berliners would all surged toward the gates to greet those from the west. As crowds started to get riled up Berliners climbed the wall a started to slowly tear it down the wall.
The fall of the wall began on October 9, 1989, with people nicknamed “Mauerspechte”, also known as wall woodpeckers, to chip off souvenirs. On June 13, 1990, the East German military officially began dismantling the Wall. Almost all of the remaining sections were rapidly chipped away. December 1990. Unable to prevent exodus of population, East German government conceded citizens to rights to leave.
Nine border crossings were available to access between East and West Berlin. There were several other border crossings existed for visits by West Germany to East Germany. Those crossings were restricted according to which nationality was allowed to use it. West Germans and citizens of other Western countries could in general visit East Germany. East German authorities could refuse entry permits without stating a reason.
This wall stood almost 12 feet tall, and kept a solid border to divide the East and West Berlin. The wall would stretch to divide the Berlins for nearly 87 miles. The Berlin Wall, a barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 all the way to 1989. After days of protests, East Berliners would all surged toward the gates to greet those from the west. As crowds started to get riled up Berliners climbed the wall a started to slowly tear it down the wall.
The fall of the wall began on October 9, 1989, with people nicknamed “Mauerspechte”, also known as wall woodpeckers, to chip off souvenirs. On June 13, 1990, the East German military officially began dismantling the Wall. Almost all of the remaining sections were rapidly chipped away. December 1990. Unable to prevent exodus of population, East German government conceded citizens to rights to leave.
Sources
- http://history1900s.about.com/od/coldwa1/a/berlinwall.htm
- http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall
- http://www.history.co.uk/shows/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-berlin-wall