Life with the Berlin Wall
How was life with the wall?The people were more confused than outraged by the wall. They did not know how long it would be up or if it would ever be torn down. Many saw it as Berlin being turned into a concentration camp. The people of Germany not only lost their rights under the government, they lost their freedom to travel.
The wall limited resources throughout Germany. Food that was once transported throughout Germany now could not go through. Medical needs could only be done by local doctors, which sometimes could not suffice. Also, lifestyles began to differ. West Germany had a growing economy resulting in the ability to purchase new technology. Whereas the East, the economy was not that good and lack of individual freedoms |
How did people feel about the wall?The wall basically took many of the people of Germany's rights away. One woman, named Sigrid, could not even travel to the west to get the proper treatment for her sick and dying child.
Many citizens could not even see family members that were on either side of the wall. |
What happened if people tried to cross the wall?Many people attempted to across the wall. About 10,000 attempted but only half survived. If they tried to climb the wall, they would get cut by the wire. Even if they were successful, the chances were they would get caught by a guard and then get killed or arrested. About 190 East Germans were shot trying to cross the wall.
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