How did people get to Berlin during the Cold War?
The border could be crossed legally only through a limited number of air, road, rail and river routes. Travellers to and from Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Czechoslovakia could also pass through East Germany. Access rights for non-Germans were otherwise very restricted.
Who was allowed to cross into East Berlin?
Only foreigners were allowed to cross through it.
Even more important was that it was the only gateway where East Germany allowed Allied diplomats, military personnel and foreign tourists to pass into Berlin’s Soviet sector.
How did people flee East Germany?
Between 1945 and 1988, around 4 million East Germans migrated to the West. 3.454 million of them left between 1945 and the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. The great majority simply walked across the border or, after 1952, exited through West Berlin.
How was East Germany during the Cold War?
During the Cold War, East Germany was the most significant Soviet state in Europe after Russia – but its socialist policies led to economic stagnation, political oppression and widespread dissatisfaction among the people of East Germany.
Could Americans go to East Germany?
In order to enter East Berlin, a US citizen could just show up and buy a day-visa for 5DM, which was about $2.50 at the time, plus you had to exchange 25DM into Ost-Marks (almost worthless East German currency), which could not be converted back into Western currency.
Could West Berliners go to East Berlin?
West Germans and West Berliners were allowed visa-free travel to the East Berlin and East Germany starting 23 December 1989.
Did anyone cross the Berlin Wall?
Between 1961 and 1989, thousands of East Germans made risky border crossings. Around 5,000 of them crossed over the Berlin Wall at great personal risk—and their attempts to do so ranged from sneaky to suicidal.
Who allowed the Berlin Wall to fall?
Gorbachev agreed on negotiations with the U.S. President George H.W. Bush and West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to permit the reunification of the two German states, almost completely on West German terms.
Who was not allowed to attend the Berlin conference?
The Berlin Conference of 1884 – 1885 – Background Essay
Of these fourteen nations at the Berlin Conference, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Portugal were the major players. Notably missing were any representatives from Africa.
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