Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall is a controversial monument. After World War II, the German capital of Berlin was divided into Soviet, American, British, and French zones. In 1958, Russian Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev threatened to block off access into East Germany if West Germany would not demilitarize its sector. The West refused and the East began constructing a wall to stop the exodus of people from the East to the West. People of East Berlin became trapped within their city, and labeled the Berlin Wall "Schandmauer" (Wall of Shame). For over 28 years, West Berliners enjoyed a period of rich culture and economic prosperity through democracy. Yet East Berliners could not visit the West side. Then in 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, allowing people to pass freely between the city. Since then, Germany has been recovering form its division. It is becoming a more free and democratic nation.

Andrew