The Berlin Wall was a wall that was built by the East German government. It divided East and West Berlin. People living in East Berlin were not allowed to cross into West Berlin. This was meant to stop people from escaping East Berlin and trying to find a better life in West Berlin. The wall existed for 28 years, until it was torn down in 1989. The wall made people in East Berlin feel trapped and not able to move freely. It was a very sad time for the city.