The original purpose of the Berlin Wall when it was built in 1961 was to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin and, by extension, to West Germany. The Wall was a response to the massive emigration of skilled workers and professionals from East to West, which threatened the economy and stability of the East German state. By erecting the Wall, the East German government aimed to stop this "brain drain" and solidify the division between the communist East and the democratic West during the Cold War. Over time, the Wall became a powerful symbol of the Cold War division of Europe and the struggle for freedom.