What structure was built by East Germany in 1961 to prevent citizens from fleeing to the West?

The structure built by East Germany in 1961 to prevent citizens from fleeing to the West is the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall was specifically constructed to physically separate East and West Berlin, thereby inhibiting the movement of people from the East, which was a communist state, to the West, a democratic state. The motivation behind the construction of the wall was to stop the significant emigration and defection of East Germans who were seeking better opportunities and freedoms in the West.

The significance of the Berlin Wall went beyond just a physical barrier; it became a symbol of the Cold War and the ideological divide between communism and capitalism. It remained in place until 1989 when it was dismantled, marking a pivotal moment in history that contributed to the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.

While other terms like the Great Wall and Iron Curtain may relate to barriers or divisions, they do not refer to the specific structure associated with East Germany's effort to control its citizens' movement during that era. The Border Fence, while it may refer to various types of border control structures, does not specifically identify the well-known and politically charged Berlin Wall built in 1961.