TED-ED: The rise and fall of the Berlin Wall - Konrad H. Jarausch

The Berlin Wall was constructed by East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing to the West. It symbolized the Cold War division between East and West. The wall's construction began in 1961, and it was fortified over the years. Despite the risks, many attempted to escape. The wall fell in 1989, leading to German reunification and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

What event marked the beginning of the Berlin Wall's construction?

• The end of World War II

• The reunification of Germany

• East German workers building barriers

• The fall of the Soviet Union

Which countries were involved in the division of Germany after World War II?

• France, Britain, and the United States

• China, the United States, and Britain

• Italy, Japan, and the Soviet Union

• Germany, France, and Italy

What was the Iron Curtain?

• A metaphorical division between Eastern and Western Europe

• A physical wall separating East and West Germany

• A military alliance in Eastern Europe

• A treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States

Why was the Berlin Wall initially constructed?

• To stop East Germans from fleeing to the West

• To prevent Westerners from entering East Germany

• To divide Berlin into two separate cities

• To create a tourist attraction

What were some methods people used to escape East Germany?

• Using diplomatic immunity

• Crossing through official checkpoints

• Digging tunnels and swimming across canals

• Flying commercial planes

What led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989?

• A sudden economic collapse in East Germany

• A military invasion by Western powers

• A natural disaster

• Political changes and public demonstrations

What significant event followed the fall of the Berlin Wall?

• The start of World War III

• The division of Berlin into four zones

• The reunification of Germany

• The construction of a new wall