After WWII, Germany split into the democratic West (allied by Europe & America) and the communist East (allied by the Soviet Union). Under communism, East Germany faced mass discontent, human rights injustices, a failing economy, unemployment, isolation from the world, and limited trading partners. Meanwhile, West Germany was thriving and quickly recovering from its formerly Fascist past with a free market economy, western allies, greater resources, and many employment opportunities. As the world was entering into the Cold War conflicts, the west was looking for any opportunity to support communist countries/supporters into democratic citizens, encouraging East Germans to flee their restrictive nation and join the democratic West.
