The European continent was divided between the Soviet sphere of influence and the Western Europe/USA sphere of influence. The Soviet sphere was composed of those under the Warsaw Pact, those that were occupied by the Soviets during WW2, and those with a communist government. The European sphere was under NATO, had been occupied by Western European countries during WW2, and had a democratic style of government with a free market economy.

Many individuals left East Germany in order to live under a democratic government versus a communist regime. To prevent the outward flow of East Germans, the government of East Germans constructed a wall, topped with barbed wire.

The purpose of NATO was to oppose the Soviets and communist expansion. They wanted to ensure the military superiority of the United States and its allies.

Global Communism and Containment