Q 01/05

On what date did East Germany begin sealing off West Berlin?

A) 17 June 1953

B) 13 August 1961

C) 22 November 1963

D) 21 August 1968

Answer · why

B) 13 August 1961

Streets were torn up and barbed wire strung overnight; the first concrete blocks followed on 17 August.

Q 02/05

What did the East German authorities officially call the Wall?

A) The Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart

B) The Peace and Friendship Border

C) The Socialist Security Barrier

D) The People's Defensive Line

Answer · why

A) The Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart

West Berlin's mayor Willy Brandt preferred 'Wall of Shame'.

Q 03/05

Roughly how many East Germans, about a fifth of the population, left for the West before the Wall went up?

A) 4.5 million

B) 5.5 million

C) 3.5 million

D) 6.5 million

Answer · why

C) 3.5 million

The exodus was heaviest among engineers, doctors, teachers and other professionals, the so-called brain drain.

Q 04/05

Which East German leader declared 'No one has the intention of erecting a wall' two months before construction?

A) Walter Ulbricht

B) Erich Honecker

C) Egon Krenz

D) Willi Stoph

Answer · why

A) Walter Ulbricht

He said it at an international press conference on 15 June 1961.

Q 05/05

Which West Berlin mayor coined the term 'Wall of Shame'?

A) Konrad Adenauer

B) Richard von Weizsacker

C) Willy Brandt

D) Helmut Schmidt

Answer · why

C) Willy Brandt

He led West Berliners' protests and even criticised Washington for failing to respond; Kennedy was furious.