Background on the Berlin Wall
Shortly after World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union became involved in the Cold War: a struggle between the two nations for global power. Europe was divided into the democratic west and the communist east. Communism is a political and economic system in which the major productive resources in a society—such as mines, factories, and farms—are owned by the public or the state, and wealth is divided among citizens equally or according to individual need. Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister) declared that "an iron curtain has descended across the [European] Continent." In 1947 President Truman announces the Truman Doctrine. This policy stated that the United States would help any country fighting against Communism. That same year the United States also began the Marshall Plan, offering 12.5 billion dollars to aid Europe's economic recovery. U.S. leaders hoped that countries with strong economies would not turn to communism. The Soviet Union and its allies refused American aid.
Over time more and more people left East Germany. The Soviet and East German leaders began to worry that they were losing too many people. Over the course of the years 1949 to 1959, over 2 million people left the country. Although the East Germans tried to keep people from leaving, it was fairly easy for people to leave in the city of Berlin because the inside of the city was controlled by all four major powers.
The Soviets and the East German leaders had enough. On August 12th and 13th of 1961 they built a wall around Berlin to prevent people from leaving. At first the wall was just a barbed wire fence. Later it would be rebuilt with concrete blocks 12 feet high and four feet wide. The wall stood for over 16 years divided West and East Germany (Republic vs. Communism).
Over time more and more people left East Germany. The Soviet and East German leaders began to worry that they were losing too many people. Over the course of the years 1949 to 1959, over 2 million people left the country. Although the East Germans tried to keep people from leaving, it was fairly easy for people to leave in the city of Berlin because the inside of the city was controlled by all four major powers.
The Soviets and the East German leaders had enough. On August 12th and 13th of 1961 they built a wall around Berlin to prevent people from leaving. At first the wall was just a barbed wire fence. Later it would be rebuilt with concrete blocks 12 feet high and four feet wide. The wall stood for over 16 years divided West and East Germany (Republic vs. Communism).
In 1987 President Ronald Reagan gave a speech in Berlin where he asked the leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, to "Tear down this Wall!"
Around that time the Soviet Union was beginning to collapse. They were losing their hold on East Germany. A few years later on November 9, 1989 the announcement was made. The borders were open and people could freely move between Eastern and Western Germany. Much of the wall was torn down by people chipping away as they celebrated the end to a divided Germany. On October 3, 1990 Germany was officially reunified into a single country.
Ronald Regan and Mikhail Gorbachev are pictured together while developing a strong relationship working towards peace between the Soviet Union and the United States.
Around that time the Soviet Union was beginning to collapse. They were losing their hold on East Germany. A few years later on November 9, 1989 the announcement was made. The borders were open and people could freely move between Eastern and Western Germany. Much of the wall was torn down by people chipping away as they celebrated the end to a divided Germany. On October 3, 1990 Germany was officially reunified into a single country.
Ronald Regan and Mikhail Gorbachev are pictured together while developing a strong relationship working towards peace between the Soviet Union and the United States.