isted mainly of mostly Russian communists. Aside from these two strategic moves, the Soviets also permeated the Berlin police force. This concentration of Soviet officials proved to be an important move later.
             In June 1948, the three powers occupying the western portion of Berlin introduced their own currency and set up a separate administration, which alienated the Soviets over in eastern Berlin. On May 24, 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was founded, which is more commonly known to historians as West Germany. Following this on October 7, 1949, the German Democratic Republic is founded in East Germany. On May 26, 1952, the border between East and West Germany and between East Berlin and West Berlin was closed. At this point, only the border between East and West Berlin was still opened. Following this restriction on November 14, 1953, the Western Powers waived the Interzonenpass. The Soviet Union reciprocated, but East German citizens needed permission to enter West Germany.
             The years 1954 to 1960 saw an exodus of trained, educated labor reach a peak. During that period, 4,600 doctors, 15,885 teachers, 738 university teachers and 15,536 engineers and technicians moved from East to West Germany. These highly qualified people had been educated at the expense of East Germany. Of course, such a situation was untenable for East Germany. It has been estimated that, in all, over two and a half million East Germans immigrated between 1949 and the start of this year. There were great tensions forming between the GDR (German Democratic Republic) and the people of East Germany. The communists were struggling to solidify their hold over East Germany and tension among its peoples increased.
             Walter Ulbricht, the East German leader, announced that his country had plans to do as has been done in these couple of days, yet the movement toward the building started on Saturday, August 12 1961. Under the leadership of Erich Honecker, ...