The impact of the Berlin Wall, erected in 1961 and torn down in 1989, was profound for Germany and Europe. The Wall symbolized the Cold War divide between East and West, physically and ideologically separating East Berlin, controlled by the Soviet regime, from West Berlin, a bastion of Western democracy and capitalism. Its existence led to severe restrictions on freedom and movement for those in East Germany, resulting in a significant loss of life during attempts to escape. The wall's fall marked the beginning of Germany's reunification, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and inspiring movements towards democracy and freedom across Eastern Europe.