What Was the Berlin Wall?

This engaging chapter book from the popular "What Was?" series introduces young readers to the history of the Berlin Wall. It explains the political context of post-WWII and the Cold War, detailing how Berlin was divided and the stark differences between East and West Berlin. The book covers the human impact of the wall, including the stories of those who attempted daring escapes, some tragically losing their lives, and the eventual reunification of the city. It's an accessible entry point for children aged 6-9 to understand a pivotal moment in modern history and the concepts of freedom versus oppression.

The Berlin Wall finally came down in 1989. Now readers can find out why it was built in the first place; and what it meant for Berliners living on either side of it. Here's the fascinating story of a city divided. In 1961, overnight a concrete border went up, dividing the city of Berlin into two parts - East and West. The story of the Berlin Wall holds up a mirror to post-WWII politics and the Cold War Era when the United States and the USSR were enemies, always on the verge of war. The wall meant that no one from Communist East Berlin could travel to West Berlin, a free, democratic area. Of course that didn't stop thousands from trying to breech the wall - more than one hundred of them dying in the attempt. (One East Berliner actually ziplined to freedom!) Author Nico Medina explains the spy-vs-spy politics of the time as well as what has happened since the removal of one of the most divisive landmarks in modern history.