This movement of people threatened to destroy the East German state’s economy. What originally started out as barbed wire and cinder blocks eventually became a series of up to 15 foot concrete walls equipped with guards, watchtowers, and electric fences and barbed wire.
After the wall was built, some 5,000 East Germans escaped, while 5,000 more were captured by East German authorities. 191 people died during the actual crossing of the wall. On either side of the wall, it was like two different worlds: The oppressive, pro-communist East Berlin side, and the free, pro-democratic West Berlin. In the 1980’s, a democratic movement swept through Eastern Europe and forced the communist government from power. Finally, the wall was demolished in November, 1989, when East Germany reopened its borders.
The wall showed the initial strength and influence of communism in postwar Europe, but also showed the new democratic movement and fall of communism in the 80’s.