Construction of Berlin Wall

Why was it built? Impacts? Reactions of the west?

Reasons people left East Berlin in late 1950s:

Economical:

• 61% was of working age, compared to 70% before the war

• Mass loss of skilled workers like teachers, lawyers, technicians, engineers, physicians

• West Germany = capitalist system offered higher wages, better housing - things not offered in east

Political:

• Mass emigrations lead to communism looking unpopular

• negative propaganda since communist regime competed with capitalist regime

• East Germany had strict control over people - made people want to leave

Social:

• those leaving tended to be young/well-educated

• East Germany = “brain drain” as smart people left

summarise the building of the wall

• prevention of people escaping

• first barbed wire was used but then a wall was built on 13th august 1961

why did the west not object more to the wall?

• good propaganda for cold war - west could claim to be the side that allowed people freedom whilst the east had to build a wall to keep people in

• western allies were mute

• interests were not affected

• they could still send troops into west berlin and the wall made an attempt by invasion from the east less likely

impacts of the berlin wall

• separated families - lack of freedom of movement

• further away from Germany unification - sign of division, “iron curtain”

• negative look on communism

• positive look on west/capitalism