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The Berlin Wall crisis, 1958 to 63
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By 1961 so many East Germans had fled west through Berlin that the GDR's future was in danger. The answer was a wall.
The refugee problem
Millions of East Germans left for the West between 1949 and 1961, many through Berlin, where crossing was easy.
Many were young and skilled: doctors, engineers and teachers. The GDR economy suffered.
Many were young and skilled: doctors, engineers and teachers. The GDR economy suffered.
The crisis
In 1958 Khrushchev demanded that the Western powers leave Berlin.
The West refused. Ulbricht, the GDR leader, pressed Khrushchev to act.
On 13 August 1961 the border was sealed with barbed wire, soon replaced by a concrete wall.
The West refused. Ulbricht, the GDR leader, pressed Khrushchev to act.
On 13 August 1961 the border was sealed with barbed wire, soon replaced by a concrete wall.
Effects
Families and friends were separated. East Berliners lost jobs in the West.
People still tried to escape: some succeeded by tunnels or other ways; many were caught, and some, such as Peter Fechter in 1962, were shot.
The refugee flow stopped, and the GDR could stabilise. Kennedy visited West Berlin in 1963 to show US support.
People still tried to escape: some succeeded by tunnels or other ways; many were caught, and some, such as Peter Fechter in 1962, were shot.
The refugee flow stopped, and the GDR could stabilise. Kennedy visited West Berlin in 1963 to show US support.
Explain why the Berlin Wall helped the GDR survive.
- Before 1961, skilled workers were leaving in huge numbers.
- The Wall stopped this flow.
- The GDR could then rebuild its economy with a stable workforce.
Answer: It stopped the loss of skilled workers that threatened to ruin the GDR.
Millions of skilled East Germans fled west via Berlin. Khrushchev's 1958 demand failed. On 13 August 1961 the border was sealed and the Wall built. It divided families; escapes continued, and some, like Peter Fechter (1962), were shot. The refugee flow stopped.
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