For 28 years, the Berlin Wall separated the west from the east of Germany and became a symbol of the Cold War. The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 by the Soviets, it was intended to prevent East German citizens from pouring west as the east was under communist power. The wall was built overnight and many were surprised, the physical construction of the Berlin Wall began on August 5, 1961. Many families on both sides were separated from their loved ones and were very saddened by the separation. The Berlin Wall connects to responsibilities and rights because they wanted East Germany and West Germany to unite after World War II. After the end of World War II, Germany was in a horrible state. America would transport all types of supplies at an average of one plane every three minutes. America, Great Britain and France created three zones with democratic governments in Germany. In each area, officials will work to help govern and rebuild. In Russia, the Soviet Union also wanted a piece of Germany. The Soviet Union was an extreme communist government and had a dictator named Joseph Stalin. In 1947 the Soviet Union began to take control of Germany. They took control of about half of Germany, including half of Berlin. West Germany not only relied on East Germany for economic supplies and aid, but the East also relied on West Germany. On June 23, 1948, Stalin ordered all land routes to Berlin from the west to be cut off. This was known as the German blockade. However, less than a year later, Stalin ended the blockade because he was unable to oust the Western governments from Germany. Now that the western part of Germany was under the control of the West, they became the Federal Democratic Republic of Germany, otherwise known... middle of paper... after almost thirty years all were finally opened. East Germans passed through the open gates, and East Germans were granted exit visas free of charge and upon request. Families and friends were finally disbanded and Germany was free. Some celebrated by tearing down sections of the wall, most of the wall was destroyed in 1990. Germany was officially reunified on October 3, 1990. The crowd of people was huge, everyone was rejoicing and was really happy to see their family again. The Berlin Wall has left a bad mark on Germany's history, but that doesn't mean it can't achieve greatness in the future. The people of Berlin and Germany are better off now and have learned from their mistakes. Overall the Berlin Wall connects to the theme of Responsibilities and Rights very well as after the war the governments of West Berlin and East Berlin changed rapidly and radically in terms of governance.