The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) in 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin. The Wall was officially referred to as the “Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart” by GDR authorities. Before the Wall’s erection, 3.5 million East Germans defected from the GDR, many by crossing over the border from East Berlin into West Berlin. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 paved the way for the German reunification.