WEBVTT

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In the early hours of August 13, 1961,

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East German construction workers flanked
by soldiers and police

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began tearing up streets and erecting
barriers throughout the city of Berlin

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and its surroundings.

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This night marked the beginning of one
of history's most infamous dividing lines,

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the Berlin Wall.

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Construction on the wall continued
for the next decade

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as it cut through neighborhoods,

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separated families,

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and divided not just Germany,
but the world.

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To understand how we got to this point,

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we have to go back to World War II.

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America, Britain, and France

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joined forces with the Soviet Union
against the Axis Powers.

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After they defeated Nazi Germany,

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each of the victorious nations occupied
part of the country.

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The division was meant to be temporary,

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but the former allies found 
themselves at odds

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over their visions for post-war Europe.

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While Western powers promoted
liberal market economies,

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the Soviet Union sought to surround itself
with obedient Communist nations,

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including a weakened Germany.

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As their relations deteriorated,

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the Federal Republic of Germany
was formed in the West

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while the Soviets established the
German Democratic Republic in the East.

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The Soviet satellite countries restricted
Western trade and movement,

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so a virtually impassable border formed.

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It became known as the Iron Curtain.

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In the former German capital of Berlin,
things were particularly complicated.

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Although the city lay fully within
the East German territory of the GDR,

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the post-war agreement gave the allies
joint administration.

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So America, Britain, and France created
a Democratic enclave

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in Berlin's western districts.

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While East Germans were officially banned
from leaving the country,

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in Berlin, it was simply 
a matter of walking,

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or riding a subway, streetcar or bus,

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to the Western half,

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then traveling on to West Germany
or beyond.

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This open border posed a problem
for the East German leadership.

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They had staked a claim to represent
the Communist resistance against Hitler

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and portrayed Western Germany as
a continuation of the Nazi regime.

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While the U.S. and its allies poured
money into West Germany's reconstruction,

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the Soviet Union extracted resources
from the East as war reparations,

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making its planned economy 
even less competitive.

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Life in East Germany passed under
the watchful eye of the Stasi,

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the secret police whose wiretaps 
and informants monitored citizens

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for any hint of disloyalty.

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While there was free health care
and education in the East,

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the West boasted hire salaries,

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more consumer goods,

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and greater personal freedom.

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By 1961, about 3.5 million people,
nearly 20% of the East German population,

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had left, 
including many young professionals.

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To prevent further losses,

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East Germany decided to close the border,
and that's where the Berlin Wall came in.

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Extending for 43 kilometers
through Berlin,

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and a further 112 through East Germany,

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the initial barrier consisted
of barbed wire and mesh fencing.

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Some Berliners escaped by
jumping over the wire

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or leaving from windows,

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but as the wall expanded,
this became more difficult.

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By 1965, 106 kilometers of 3.6-meter-high
concrete barricades had been added

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topped with a smooth 
pipe to prevent climbing.

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Over the coming years, the barrier
was strengthened with spike strips,

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guard dogs,

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and even landmines,

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along with 302 watchtowers
and 20 bunkers.

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A parallel fence in the rear set off
a 100-meter area called the death strip.

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There, all buildings were demolished
and the ground covered with sand

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to provide a clear line of sight
for the hundreds of guards

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ordered to shoot anyone 
attempting to cross.

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Nevertheless, nearly 5,000 people
in total managed to flee East Germany

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between 1961 and 1989.

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Some were diplomats or athletes
who defected while abroad,

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but others were ordinary citizens who
dug tunnels,

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swam across canals,

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flew hot air balloons,

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or even crashed a stolen tank
through the wall.

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Yet the risk was great.

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Over 138 people died
while attempting escape.

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Some shot in full view of West Germans
powerless to help them.

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The wall stabilized East Germany's economy
by preventing its work force from leaving,

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but tarnished its reputation,

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becoming a global symbol 
of Communist repression.

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As part of reconciliation with the East,

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the Basic Treaty of 1972 recognized
East Germany pragmatically

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while West Germany retained its hope
for eventual reunification.

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Although the Eastern regime
gradually allowed family visits,

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it tried to discourage people
from exercising these rights

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with an arduous bureaucratic process
and high fees.

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Nonetheless, it was still overwhelmed
by applications.

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By the end of the 1980's,

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the liberalization of 
other Eastern Bloc regimes

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caused mass demonstrations
for free travel and demands for democracy.

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On the evening of November 9, 1989,

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East Germany tried to defuse tension
by making travel permits easier to obtain.

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But the announcement brought thousands
of East Berliners

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to the border crossing points in the wall,

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forcing the surprised guards to open
the gates immediately.

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Rejoicing crowds poured into West Berlin

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as people from both sides danced 
atop the wall.

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And others began to demolish it 
with whatever tools they could find.

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Although the border guards initially
tried to maintain order,

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it was soon clear that the years
of division were at an end.

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After four decades, Germany was
officially reunified in October 1990.

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And the Soviet Union fell soon after.

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Today, parts of the wall still 
stand as a reminder

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that any barriers we put up 
to impede freedom,

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we can also break down.