Berlin - Cold War Research
Databases
The causes, countries involved, and major topics of the Cold War are explained. The Berlin Wall: Cold War article includes photographs, a political cartoon, and other primary sources connected to the Berlin Wall.
Gale Primary sources features important historical topics, like the Berlin Wall, as covered in primary sources. The subtopic Why was the Berlin Wall built? provides examples of newspaper articles and other documents that describe the history of the wall.
Articles and Credible Sources
9 Essential Berlin Wall Stories from Time Magazine (pdf)
Berlin, 1963: Voices from the Wall from Atlantic Monthly (pdf)
Victims at the Wall - published in Germany, this is an alphabetically list of the 140 people who lost their lives trying to escape East Germany.
Chronik der Mauer - presents the Berlin Wall day by day with linked primary sources for the dates. Sources include photographs, letter, audio recordings, and articles (note - some resources are in the original German, but a number have been translated into english)
The Berlin Wall – Aug. 13, 1961: An eyewitness account of the first day”s action at the Brandenburg Gate - A former US Airman recalls the early access at the Brandenburg Gate.
Over the Wall: Six Stories from East Germany - Examines the careers, escapes, and lives of six scientists in East Germany.
10 Creative Ways that People Crossed the Berlin Wall - Includes pictures and descriptions of crossing the Berlin Wall.
Survival Stories: Escape from Berlin - An interview that details Hans-Peter Spitzner's escape from East Germany.
The Cold War 'Mole' Who Smuggled 1,000 East Germans To The West - An NPR interview with a former East German who helped his countrymen flee the East German regime.
Berlin Wall: Photos of the Brutal Divide - Life Magazine showcases photographs of the Berlin Wall.
Living in a Divided City - West Berlin - This secondary source highlights what life was like in West Berlin from 1961-1989.
Life in East and West Berlin - Includes photos, videos, and primary source accounts of life in both sides of the divided city.
Documentaries and Interviews
Documentary on life in East Berlin including interviews, photographs, and news footage.
German diplomat recalls fleeing the GDR during sporting event
Interview with Harmut Richter, a man who escaped from East Germany.
Escape from East Berlin by digging a tunnel under the Berlin Wall