Berlin Wall 1

When World War II ended in 1945, the victorious Allies returned Germany to its pre-war borders. Germany's territorial gains were reversed. The country and the capital (Berlin) were temporarily occupied by Allies: Britain, Russia, and America. 

Instead of the Russian communists eventually leaving, their goal became to occupy Eastern European countries and expand their own influence.

The Russian sector of Germany in the East became "the communist German Democratic Republic." Berlin, located here in the East, was also divided east/west.

East Germans started fleeing the country, especially the young and educated. By 1961 the leader of East Germany warned the leader of Russia, Nikita Kruschev, that this "brain drain" was a serious threat to stability. 

That year a barrier wall (which lasted 28 years) was erected to keep East Germans from escaping to the West. Eventually 100-200 lost their lives trying to get across.

East German soldier escaping 1961

(cont'd tomorrow)