The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall

After WWII, there were two major world powers with different ideas. They were:

• 1. Western Europe & U.S.: They believed in democracy, freedom, free markets (economy), & freedom of religion.

• 2. Communists: Government controlled

EVERYTHING!EVERYTHING! Russia “captured” the

countries around them & made them

communist

How was this done?

• Spheres of Influence: Having influence over a country’s future.

Two “spheres”:

1. Russia: Communist

2. U.S. France, U.K.: Free!

“Spheres of Influence”

Orange Circle: Democratic, or free countries

White Circle: Communist Countries

What happened to Germany?

• Both sides wanted Germany

Why?

1. Shipping access

2. A buffer zone from the other side

Germany was divided in half

• East Germany- Communist

• West Germany- Free/Democracy

West Germany

East Germany

A Wall is Built

• The Soviets built what was called the Berlin Berlin WallWall. It was meant to keep people IN.IN.

• The Wall was complete in 1961.1961.• The wall restricted:

– Shipment of goods: No “western” goods to the east

– People: Extremely hard to travel & visit. • People in the East couldn’t leave to the west (the free side)

The Wall in the city of Berlin

How the Berlin Wall Worked

The End of The Wall

• In 1989, the Wall came down

• It meant an end to communism in Germany

Parts of The Wall were kept as museums or monuments

Section of The Wall today

Assignment/Reflection

• On a piece of paper, write a paragraph answering the following:– 1. Discuss two things you learned from the

presentations– 2. How would you react if a wall separated

the city where you live?