Cold War and the Berlin Wall Questions and Answers

According to the reading, what were the two competing ideologies of the Cold War?

Communism and Capitalism

What occurred in June of 1987?

President Ronald Reagan visited West Berlin and delivered a speech to West Berliners at the Brandenburg Gate.

What were the two World War Two era allied peace conference that decided how to handle Germany after the end of the war?

Yalta and Potsdam

Explain how the capital of Germany was divided at the end of World War Two? What nations controlled parts of it?

Yalta and Potsdam decided to divide the city into

Explain how Germany was divided at the end of World War Two? What nations controlled parts of Germany?

into Eastern and Western portions.

How long did the Berlin Wall last for?

28 years

In the years leading up to the creation of the Berlin Wall, how many East Germans fled to West Berlin?

3 Million

What was the 'Death Strip'?

A second fence was later built that ran parallel to the original creating a space in between that became known as the "Death Strip".

What was the capital of Germany?

Berlin

Why did most westerners believe the Berlin Wall was really built?

Creation of the wall as an attempt by the Soviets to stop East Germans from fleeing East Germany into West Berlin.

What reasoning did the East German government give for the creations of the Berlin Wall?

East German government claimed the wall was built to protect East Germany from western aggression.

What occurred on November 9th, 1989?

East German spokesman announced a change in policy related to the Berlin Wall.

How did the creation of the Berlin Wall impact Berliners?

People weren't able to move freely throughout the city.

Explain how the Berlin Wall developed and changed over time.

Replaced with a concrete wall.

What was the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall?

That night, both East and West Berliners gathered at the wall and celebrated an end to the wall that had divided their city.

What occurred on August 12th, 1961?

The city again became a central point for Cold War

What was the first Cold War era conflict that occurred in Berlin?

They tried to blockade the city.

What was the significance of Ronald Reagan's speech?

his challenge to Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" became one of the most famous phrases from the entire Cold War.