1961 East Germany

Worksheet Description

This worksheet presents a hypothetical scenario set against the backdrop of 1961 East Germany, at the time the Berlin Wall was erected. It prompts students to ponder what it might have felt like to reside in East Germany during this period and whether they would consider attempting an escape to the West. By doing so, students are encouraged to consider the potential perils and challenges faced by individuals who made such an audacious decision. The lines provided beneath the prompt are designed for students to articulate their thoughts, feelings, and analyses.

To effectively engage with this worksheet, students should first immerse themselves in the historical context of 1961 East Germany, envisioning the socio-political landscape and personal dilemmas faced by its inhabitants. They should introspectively weigh the pros and cons of attempting an escape, bearing in mind the realities of the period. Following this, they would pen down their individual responses, elucidating their choices and the reasons behind them, while also detailing the possible dangers one might encounter during such an escape attempt.

The overarching goal of this worksheet is to instill a deeper sense of empathy and understanding within students, allowing them to grasp the gravity of the circumstances surrounding the Berlin Wall and the choices people had to make. Through this imaginative exercise, learners are not only educated on the historical events but are also pushed to cultivate critical thinking, decision-making skills, and a personal connection to the past. It seeks to highlight the human aspect of historical events, making it more relatable and memorable for students.