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Beginning
The Red Army captures Berlin. At the end of World War 2 Berlin is divided into four sectors. -
What it took
The Red Army captured Berlin and then the city was divided. The Soviet forces blockade West Berlin. -
Security
A kind of passport was required to go into the other sections of Germany. These sectors were becoming hard to pass without them and it was very dangerous. -
A decision
There is a currency reform in Berlin. Berlin is divided into two different currency zones. -
The Blockade
The Soviet Union starts the blockade about a year ago. United States and others sign the NATO in Washington between then and when the blockade ends in 1949 -
One year
The founding of the Federal Republic of West Germany was on May 24 of the year 1949 as well as the Berlin Airlift with the US ends. During the last of this year the German Democratic Republic is proclaimed. -
Riots
Riots begin in East Berlin by building workers on working conditions. These riots are stopped by the Red Army. -
The making
The Berlin Wall needed much planning and it took a great amount of time to actually put building the wall into action. They had to have many people help along and change roadways and railroads just to build this wall. -
What it looked like
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Closed
The Berlin border between East and West Berlin is closed. The zonal boundary is sealed in the morning by East German troops. -
Escaping barbed wire
A man who was the first East German border guard, escapes by jumping the barbed wire to West Berlin. The beginning of the wall was made up of concrete square blocks topped with barbed wire. -
Concrete
The barbed wire barrier is being removed and replaced with a wall of concrete blocks. This first Wall around Berlin was two meters high, it was just the start of the wall. -
Improvements
All crossing points are closed for West Berlin citizens. A second Wall is being built to prevent escapes to the West. From the first to second wall there are improvements made. -
Gunpoint
An 18 year old bricklayer from East Berlin, is shot and left to bleed to death in the view of media and bystanders. The bystanders tried to rescue him but couldn't due to them being held at gunpoint -
Negotiations
There are negotiations between authorities and an agreement is signed allowing West Berliners to visit their relatives in East Berlin for a short period of time. -
Another upgrade
The wall is replaced with a new one. The new one is made up of concrete slabs. They put a concrete tube on the top of the wall to make it more difficult to climb over. -
Firepower
A firing order is told to not hesitate firing at people trying to climb the wall or cross the border. Even when the 'traitor' has children they are ordered to shoot. -
Tested escape
They added a new wall which included a touch-sensitive, self-firing fence making the wall harder to penetrate. This still did not put an end to attempted escapes so East German authorities increased control and patrol. -
A call
President Ronald Reagan visits Berlin and calls on Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. -
Reunited.
The last person to be killed trying to cross the Wall is Chris Queffroy. In 1989 Hungary removes its border restrictions with Austria and opens border for East German Refugees. The Brandenburg Gate is also opened in this year. On October 3rd, 1990 Germany is formally reunited.
