Berlin, 1961-63: the Berlin Wall
I can explain the impact of the Berlin Wall on the city and people of Berlin and on US-Soviet relations.
Berlin, 1961-63: the Berlin Wall
I can explain the impact of the Berlin Wall on the city and people of Berlin and on US-Soviet relations.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Escalating tensions after the Vienna Summit (June 1961) led to an increase in people attempting to leave East Germany.
- In August 1961, to stop people leaving East Berlin, East Germany began to build what would become the Berlin Wall.
- The Berlin Wall made it extremely difficult and dangerous to move between East Berlin and West Berlin.
- The Berlin Wall confirmed the division of Berlin and Germany between East and West until it fell in 1989.
- The Berlin Wall reduced the chance that the superpowers would go to war over Berlin and temporarily reduced tensions.
Keywords
Summit - a meeting between leaders to discuss significant issues or make important decisions
Refugee - someone who has been forced to leave their home country because of war, persecution, natural disaster, or violence, and seeks safety in another country
Border guard - someone who makes sure that rules are followed when people and goods cross from one country to another; someone who protects the borders of a country
Socialist - relating to a system of government where all property is owned by the community and resources are shared equally
Symbol - something that is used to represent something else
Common misconception
Some people underestimate the length of the Berlin Wall and believe that it only divided the city of Berlin.
The Berlin Wall divided the city of Berlin but it also encircled the city. The iconic stretch of wall that divided Berlin was approximately 26 miles in length. The total length of the Berlin Wall was approximately 96 miles.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Berlin, 1961-63: the Berlin Wall, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Berlin, 1961-63: the Berlin Wall, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Cold War crises, 1958-70 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
West Germany
East Germany