Germany's infamous symbol of division, the Berlin Wall, split West Berlin — an isolated enclave of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) — from East Berlin, in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) for 28 years.
Construction began in 1961 under the orders of the GDR's communist leadership, following the flight of approximately three million people to the West. They were escaping a struggling economy, limited freedoms and government surveillance. To prevent further defection to the West, the East German government built a complex system of barriers, obstacles and guard towers along the 155-kilometer-long border.
It was meant to be impenetrable — although some 5,000 East Germans did manage to make it across over the years.
The wall cut nearly all traffic routes and communication channels between East and West Berlin. Border-crossing points such as Checkpoint Charlie remained exceptions.
At the wall, the GDR's cruelty was put on full display. Between 1961 and 1989, at least 140 people were killed there. In addition to around 100 individuals attempting to flee, border guards and uninvolved passersby also lost their lives.
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