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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.