[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.24,0:00:10.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the early hours of August 13, 1961,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.92,0:00:14.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,East German construction workers flanked\Nby soldiers and police
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.82,0:00:19.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,began tearing up streets and erecting\Nbarriers throughout the city of Berlin
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.72,0:00:21.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and its surroundings.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.56,0:00:25.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This night marked the beginning of one\Nof history's most infamous dividing lines,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.68,0:00:27.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Berlin Wall.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.81,0:00:30.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Construction on the wall continued\Nfor the next decade
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.58,0:00:32.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as it cut through neighborhoods,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.06,0:00:33.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,separated families,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.58,0:00:36.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and divided not just Germany,\Nbut the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.90,0:00:39.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To understand how we got to this point,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.02,0:00:41.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have to go back to World War II.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.37,0:00:43.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,America, Britain, and France
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.04,0:00:47.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,joined forces with the Soviet Union\Nagainst the Axis Powers.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.45,0:00:49.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After they defeated Nazi Germany,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.03,0:00:52.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,each of the victorious nations occupied\Npart of the country.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.74,0:00:55.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The division was meant to be temporary,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.01,0:00:57.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the former allies found \Nthemselves at odds
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.85,0:01:00.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over their visions for post-war Europe.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.55,0:01:03.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While Western powers promoted\Nliberal market economies,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.25,0:01:07.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Soviet Union sought to surround itself\Nwith obedient Communist nations,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.51,0:01:10.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including a weakened Germany.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.28,0:01:11.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As their relations deteriorated,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.100,0:01:15.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Federal Republic of Germany\Nwas formed in the West
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.30,0:01:20.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while the Soviets established the\NGerman Democratic Republic in the East.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.31,0:01:23.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Soviet satellite countries restricted\NWestern trade and movement,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.85,0:01:27.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so a virtually impassable border formed.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.31,0:01:29.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It became known as the Iron Curtain.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.87,0:01:34.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the former German capital of Berlin,\Nthings were particularly complicated.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.56,0:01:38.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although the city lay fully within\Nthe East German territory of the GDR,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.64,0:01:42.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the post-war agreement gave the allies\Njoint administration.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.92,0:01:46.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So America, Britain, and France created\Na Democratic enclave
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.72,0:01:49.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in Berlin's western districts.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.23,0:01:52.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While East Germans were officially banned\Nfrom leaving the country,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.59,0:01:55.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in Berlin, it was simply \Na matter of walking,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.70,0:01:57.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or riding a subway, streetcar or bus,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.96,0:01:59.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the Western half,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.48,0:02:02.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then traveling on to West Germany\Nor beyond.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.63,0:02:06.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This open border posed a problem\Nfor the East German leadership.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.63,0:02:10.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They had staked a claim to represent\Nthe Communist resistance against Hitler
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.66,0:02:14.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and portrayed Western Germany as\Na continuation of the Nazi regime.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.76,0:02:18.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While the U.S. and its allies poured\Nmoney into West Germany's reconstruction,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.87,0:02:23.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Soviet Union extracted resources\Nfrom the East as war reparations,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.49,0:02:27.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,making its planned economy \Neven less competitive.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.41,0:02:31.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Life in East Germany passed under\Nthe watchful eye of the Stasi,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.13,0:02:35.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the secret police whose wiretaps \Nand informants monitored citizens
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.28,0:02:37.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for any hint of disloyalty.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.87,0:02:40.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While there was free health care\Nand education in the East,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.72,0:02:42.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the West boasted higher salaries,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.84,0:02:44.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more consumer goods,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.52,0:02:46.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and greater personal freedom.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.65,0:02:52.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By 1961, about 3.5 million people,\Nnearly 20% of the East German population,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.66,0:02:56.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had left, \Nincluding many young professionals.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.32,0:02:57.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To prevent further losses,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.72,0:03:02.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,East Germany decided to close the border,\Nand that's where the Berlin Wall came in.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.92,0:03:05.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Extending for 43 kilometers\Nthrough Berlin,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.43,0:03:08.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a further 112 through East Germany,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.12,0:03:12.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the initial barrier consisted\Nof barbed wire and mesh fencing.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.10,0:03:14.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some Berliners escaped by\Njumping over the wire
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.92,0:03:16.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or leaving from windows,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.72,0:03:20.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but as the wall expanded,\Nthis became more difficult.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.06,0:03:27.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By 1965, 106 kilometers of 3.6-meter-high\Nconcrete barricades had been added
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.00,0:03:30.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,topped with a smooth \Npipe to prevent climbing.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.50,0:03:34.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over the coming years, the barrier\Nwas strengthened with spike strips,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.18,0:03:35.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,guard dogs,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.20,0:03:36.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even landmines,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.87,0:03:40.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,along with 302 watchtowers\Nand 20 bunkers.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.71,0:03:46.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A parallel fence in the rear set off\Na 100-meter area called the death strip.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.18,0:03:50.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There, all buildings were demolished\Nand the ground covered with sand
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.24,0:03:53.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to provide a clear line of sight\Nfor the hundreds of guards
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.80,0:03:57.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ordered to shoot anyone \Nattempting to cross.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.13,0:04:03.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nevertheless, nearly 5,000 people\Nin total managed to flee East Germany
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.19,0:04:06.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between 1961 and 1989.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.51,0:04:10.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some were diplomats or athletes\Nwho defected while abroad,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.19,0:04:13.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but others were ordinary citizens who\Ndug tunnels,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.37,0:04:15.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,swam across canals,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.05,0:04:16.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,flew hot air balloons,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.88,0:04:21.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or even crashed a stolen tank\Nthrough the wall.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.17,0:04:22.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yet the risk was great.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.49,0:04:26.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over 138 people died\Nwhile attempting escape.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.25,0:04:30.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some shot in full view of West Germans\Npowerless to help them.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.96,0:04:35.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The wall stabilized East Germany's economy\Nby preventing its work force from leaving,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.92,0:04:38.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but tarnished its reputation,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.01,0:04:41.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,becoming a global symbol \Nof Communist repression.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.95,0:04:44.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As part of reconciliation with the East,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.09,0:04:49.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Basic Treaty of 1972 recognized\NEast Germany pragmatically
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.22,0:04:53.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while West Germany retained its hope\Nfor eventual reunification.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.81,0:04:56.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although the Eastern regime\Ngradually allowed family visits,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.98,0:05:00.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it tried to discourage people\Nfrom exercising these rights
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.58,0:05:04.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with an arduous bureaucratic process\Nand high fees.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.61,0:05:08.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nonetheless, it was still overwhelmed\Nby applications.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.06,0:05:09.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By the end of the 1980's,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.79,0:05:12.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the liberalization of \Nother Eastern Bloc regimes
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.74,0:05:17.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,caused mass demonstrations\Nfor free travel and demands for democracy.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.48,0:05:20.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On the evening of November 9, 1989,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.08,0:05:25.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,East Germany tried to defuse tension\Nby making travel permits easier to obtain.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.45,0:05:28.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the announcement brought thousands\Nof East Berliners
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.50,0:05:31.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the border crossing points in the wall,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.20,0:05:35.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,forcing the surprised guards to open\Nthe gates immediately.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.24,0:05:37.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rejoicing crowds poured into West Berlin
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.69,0:05:41.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as people from both sides danced \Natop the wall.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.36,0:05:45.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And others began to demolish it \Nwith whatever tools they could find.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.37,0:05:48.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although the border guards initially\Ntried to maintain order,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.23,0:05:52.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was soon clear that the years\Nof division were at an end.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.97,0:05:58.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After four decades, Germany was\Nofficially reunified in October 1990.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.33,0:06:01.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the Soviet Union fell soon after.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.42,0:06:04.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Today, parts of the wall still \Nstand as a reminder
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.27,0:06:07.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that any barriers we put up \Nto impede freedom,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.35,0:06:09.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can also break down.