[14] Berlin Wall

Why was the Berlin Wall built regarding Brain Drain

Between 1949 and 1961, around 2.7 million East Germans escaped to the West, causing a "brain drain" and an economic crisis. Walter Ulbricht, the leader of East Germany, sought to tighten control over the population by restricting movement.

When was the Berlin Wall built

August 1961

Why was the Berlin Wall built regarding the Berlin Ultimatum

In Summit #4 in Vienna, June 1961, Khrushchev reissued the Berlin ultimatum, seeing Kennedy as inexperienced after the Bay of Pigs disaster. This led to the construction of the Berlin Wall to ease tensions between the US and USSR.

What was the Berlin Ultimatum?

Khrushchev demanded that the Western Allies withdraw from West Berlin within six months and make it a "free city," effectively placing it under East German control. If the West refused, the Soviet Union threatened to sign a separate peace treaty with East Germany, giving it control over access routes to West Berlin.

What were the impact of the Wall?

Increased tensions between the US and USSR

There were 302 watch towers, 192 people were killed on the Berlin Wall, approximately 200 people injured by shooting

When was the wall built?

The Berlin Wall was built starting on August 13, 1961, and gradually reinforced over the years. By 1975, it was heavily fortified with 12-foot-tall walls, a "Death Strip" no-man’s land, and over 300 watchtowers.

West reaction to the Berlin Wall

The U.S. sent additional troops to West Berlin to reassure its citizens.

August 1961: A tense standoff occurred at Checkpoint Charlie, where U.S. and Soviet tanks faced off for 16 hours before both sides backed down.