The building of the Berlin Wall (263)

<p>From the moment East Germany was formed in 1949, many of its citizens chose to leave to start a new life in the West. By the mid-1950s, the trickle had turned into a flood as large numbers rejected Walter Ulbricht’s Communist paradise. His ‘Workers’ &amp; Peasants’ State’ could not afford to lose the skills and productivity of these key workers, so he proposed a radical solution - to physically fence in the whole population. </p><p>I speak with Andrew Long, the author of <a href='https://amzn.to/3hI6N2Y'>a series of books about Cold War Berlin</a> as we explore the background and build-up to the building of the Berlin Wall, from the closing of the Inner German border to the momentous events of August 1961.<br/><br/></p><p>We examine in detail how Operation Rose, the operation to close the border between East and West Berlin, was planned and executed and look at how the West reacted.<br/><br/><b>BOOK GIVEAWAY detail here </b><a href='https://coldwarconversations.com/episode263/'><b>https://coldwarconversations.com/episode263/</b><br/></a><br/><b>Buy Andrew&apos;s books here </b><a href='https://amzn.to/3hI6N2Y'><b>https://amzn.to/3hI6N2Y</b></a><b> and support the podcast.</b><br/><br/></p><p><b><em>Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. </em></b></p><p><br/><b><em>Just go to </em></b><a href='https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/'><b><em>https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/</em></b></a><b><em><br/></em></b><br/></p><p>If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.<br/><br/><b>Photos and video extra here  </b><a href='https://coldwarconversations.com/episode263/'><b>https://coldwarconversations.com/episode263/</b></a></p><a rel="payment" href="https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/">Support the show</a><p><br/>