East Germany begins construction of the Berlin Wall

On August 12, 1961, authorities of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) announced the closure of the border between East and West Germany, initiating the construction of the Berlin Wall. This action was a response to a massive exodus of East German citizens, including highly trained professionals, fleeing to the West, which had triggered a severe economic crisis in the DDR.

Following an agreement between Walter Ulbricht and Nikita Khrushchev on August 3, 1961, East German forces began erecting barbed wire fences and barriers. By the morning of August 13, the border between East and West Berlin was effectively closed. The barrier eventually evolved into a fortified system featuring watchtowers and a ‘death zone’ to prevent further escapes.

The construction served as a physical symbol of the division between the capitalist West and the communist East during the Cold War. While Ulbricht had previously denied intentions to build a wall, the decision was finalized to stabilize the political and social situation in East Germany.