Construction of the Berlin Wall
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the causes, events and consequences of the construction of the Berlin Wall.
Key learning points
- East Germany suffered from a 'brain drain'.
- Khrushchev produced the Berlin Ultimatum in 1958.
- The USSR constructed the Berlin Wall in 1961.
- The USA did not attempt to block the construction of the Berlin Wall.
- The USA used the Berlin Wall as a symbol in its propaganda.
Keywords
Refugee - someone who has been forced to leave their home country because of war, persecution, natural disaster, or violence, and seeks safety in another country
Propaganda - information, especially of a biased nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view
Espionage - acts related to spying
Ultimatum - a demand that if rejected will bring about an end of peaceful talks and could lead to forceful action
Unilaterally - a way of acting or making important decisions alone and without waiting for others to agree
Common misconception
The USA fought to prevent the construction of the Berlin Wall.
The USA believed that the construction of the wall meant they would no longer be threatened in West Berlin and used it as a valuable propaganda symbol.
Teacher tip
Ask students: who benefitted most from the construction of the Berlin Wall? You may push students to consider the relative importance of Berlin to each superpower (i.e. whose sphere of influence was it in?) and aims prior to the construction of the wall to help make their judgements.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1. is information, especially of a biased nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
Q2.Which of the following countries was communist?
Q3.Other than the Soviet Union, whcich other country was considered a superpower during the Cold War?
Q4.Which country was divided and occupied at the end of WW2?
Q5.Which city was blockaded by the USSR from 1948-49?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A person has acted if they make a decision by themselves without trying to gain other people's approval first.
Q2. Germany suffered from a refugee problem and 'brain drain' during the 1950s.
Q3.Which country took the decision to construct the Berlin Wall?
Q4.In October 1961, there was an armed standoff between US and Soviet tanks in Berlin at Checkpoint .
Q5.Which statement is most accurate?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Construction of the Berlin Wall, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Construction of the Berlin Wall, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.