Georgia Experience Teacher Toolbox SAMPLE - Grade 5

GEORGIA EXPERIENCE | GRADE 5 | CHAPTER 11
THE BERLIN WALL
Leveled Literacy
At the end of WWII, the Allied Powers wanted to be sure that Germany did not
rebuild its military and attempt to take over Europe again. So, the Allied Powers
divided Germany into four parts, and they also divided Germany’s capital city, Berlin,
into four parts.
The U.S., Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union each selected one of the parts to
be responsible for. Each country sent military forces to occupy and oversee their part
of the country and their part of the capital city.
The Americans, British, and French occupied
the three most western parts of Germany and
Berlin. The Soviet Union occupied the eastern
parts of Germany and Berlin.
Over time, the three western regions merged
together, forming West Germany and
West Berlin. West Germany established a
new democratic government and capitalist
economy, like that of its occupiers.
Once this stability was in place, the
American, British, and French forces left
West Germany so German citizens could rebuild
their lives and country.
The Soviet Union established a communist and authoritarian government in East
Germany, similar to the structure of other countries in the region that it also occupied.
Soviet military forces did not actually leave East Germany and East Berlin, but
remained there in control.
SAMPLE
Under Soviet rule, East Germans were only allowed to travel to other communist
countries. But democratic West Berlin sat right in the middle of East Germany!
To prevent East Germans from traveling to West Berlin to escape communism and
the power of the Soviet Union, the Soviets built a massive, fortified wall surrounding
West Berlin. The Soviets controlled who went in and out of West Berlin! Except for by
airplane, nothing could go in or out of West Berlin without going through communistcontrolled
East Germany.
How did the wall affect people in East Berlin?
How did the wall affect people in West Berlin?
GL
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