East and West Berlin
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Why was Berlin divided into East and West after World War II?
Berlin was divided into East and West as part of the post-war occupation agreements among the Allied powers (US, UK, France, and Soviet Union), with each controlling a sector of the city.
Why did the Soviets blockade West Berlin in 1948?
The Soviets blocked West Berlin to force the Western powers to abandon their sectors after the introduction of the Deutsche Mark in the western zones, seen as an economic power grab.
Why was West Berlin never formally part of West Germany?
West Berlin remained under military occupation and was technically separate, though it cooperated extensively with West Germany and was subject to its laws.
Why did East Germany build the Berlin Wall in 1961?
The Berlin Wall was built to prevent mass emigration of East Germans to West Berlin, which was severely impacting the East German workforce and economy.
Why did the Berlin Wall fall in 1989?
The fall of the Berlin Wall was triggered by a mistaken announcement that East Germans could cross into West Berlin immediately, leading to overwhelming public pressure and the eventual opening of the border.
Why was Berlin chosen as the capital of unified Germany in 1990?
Berlin was chosen as the capital of unified Germany as part of the reunification agreement, though there was debate about moving government offices from Bonn.
- Berlin was divided into four sectors controlled by the Allies.
- The Soviets and Western Allies had different plans for their areas of occupation.
- The division was intended to be temporary but became permanent.
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