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June 21., 1963 ______________________________
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Border area
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The East German government establishes a 100-yard border zone between East Germany and West Berlin.East German citizens need a special permit to enter this zone.Foreign nationals are prohibited from entering the zone.
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June 21., 1963 _______________________________
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J.F.K
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The US President, John F. Kennedy, receives a triumphal welcome by the citizens of West Berlin.However, the hopes to see a change for the divided city are not fulfilled.
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December 17., 1963 _________________________
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Special Permit
Regulations
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After 7 rounds of negotiations between the Senate of Berlin and the East German authorities, an administrative agreement is signed allowing West Berliners to visit their relatives in East Berlin on a limited basis.
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1966 ________________________________________
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Watchtowers
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East German border guards begin the construction of watchtowers to better control the death zone and stop the escape attempts.
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December, 1966r ____________________________
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toughened
border procedures
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Negotiations on further permit regulations break down.Visitor traffic slows down.
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1968 _________________________________________
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Wall
the 3rd Generation
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East German border guards begin the installation of additional Wall segment made of concrete and topped with pipe-shaped elements, making any escape attempts nearly impossible.
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1971 ________________________________________
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Border fence
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A new fence made of closed knit barbered wire is added.
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February, 1971 _______________________________
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Reorganization
of the Border Units
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In order to increase effectiveness, the East German border guards are restructured.
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May 3., 1971 _________________________________
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Honecker becomes the new Head of the Communist Party
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Erich Honecker replaces Ulbricht as head of the Communist Party. However, the hopes of reforms under the new leadership are soon doomed. Honecker strengthens both the ideology of the SED regime and the border system (1974 - 1976).
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December 17., 1971 _________________________
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Transit Agreement
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The Treaty for Transit between East and West Germany is signed.
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June 3., 1972 ________________________________
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Quadripartite Agreement
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The Quadripartite Agreement becomes effective. The status of Berlin remains unchanged.
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December 21., 1972 _________________________
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Base Treaty
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East and West Germany sign the Base Treaty. This represents the de facto recognition of East Germany by the West German government.
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1974 ? 1976 _________________________________
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Further Perfection
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Installation of the second wall, deeper into East German territory takes place. It includes a touch-sensitive, self-firing fence.
The first Watchtowers become operational one year later.In 1976, the construction of Generation 4 of the Wall begins. (Grenzmauer 75) The Wall becomes harder to penetrate.Nevertheless, the chain of escape attempts does not end. The East Germans have an untamed desire for freedom and are constantly devising new, smart plans to escape. As a result, East German authorities increase their control of the border structures.
The drowning incident of two young West Berliner kids in the Spree River shows the ruthlessness of the East German border guards. At first, the prevent West German rescuers from saving the children. Eventually they make their own efforts to help them, but it is too late.
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October 7., 1977 ____________________________
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Clashes
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East Germans do not back the policy and measures of the SED - Regime.Especially among the younger adults, there is increasing opposition. On October 7, 1977 - the National Holiday - heavy clashes are reported between younger attendants and the Police Forces.The crowd demands: "Down with the Wall!" To subdue the crowd, however, the police force responds with lethal force. Three teenagers die.
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October13., 1980 ___________________________
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Mandatory Currency
Exchange at the Border
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East Germany's economic situation is more difficult than ever.Hard currency is needed to pay for vital raw materials and consumer goods from the West. In order to fill the empty treasury, the Eastern government alters the currency exchange and increases it to an artificially high rateIn turn, he visitors stop coming.
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