The history, construction, rise ,and fall of the Berlin Wall.

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THE BERLIN WALL

The tension between East and West Berlin in the months leading up to the destruction of The Berlin Wall was immense. The societies of East and West Berlin had not mixed for a long period of time due to the fact that a wall had been erected to divide them. Differences in government and varying ways of life divided the people of Eastern Europe for years following World War II and prior to the construction of The Berlin Wall. The wall was originally built in response to the flood of emigrants to the West in search of better economic opportunities. Completion of the wall served as a visible symbol of The Cold War and the beginning of a period of continuous political and economic separation. Prior to the destruction of The Berlin Wall, emigration laws were the main concern the government on both sides. The general aim of The German Democratic Republic, commonly referred to as East Germany, was to keep the people from leaving The Republic.

Filled with chaos, the dramatic hours leading up to The Fall contained several shocking demonstrations by both sides. Borders were crowded and protesters flooded all gates bordering West Berlin. The Fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the breakdown of social barriers and the end to a period of great social hardships.

Following the Nazi surrender in 1945, Berlin, the capital of Germany, was a city in ruins. Because of the Allied victory in World War II, the country of Germany was divided into four occupation zones. Berlin was similarly divided into 4 occupation zones, the Allies occupying the western zones. Shortly after the war, the western zones began to flourish both economically and politically as a result of the Berlin Airlift. The Berlin Airlift was an Allied move against...