If individual deaths were horrifying
The wall engendered other dramas that were nerve-wracking... for the world.
none more-so than a showdown at Checkpoint Charlie, between Soviet and American tanks.
That began on October 25th, 1961. Just two months after the wall was installed.
Under the World War II 'four powers' agreement, The US (United States) had 
 absolute right of movement into East Berlin. (The Communist half of Berlin.)
But suddenly, East Berlin began to contest that right, and 
 would not let American jeeps pass without showing papers.
In the jittery context of the Cold War, this was just 
 the kind of incident that could spin out of control.
Especially with 30 US, and 32 soviet tanks 
 facing each other. Engines running, cannons loaded.
[funky British accent] The world was generally frightened. This was 
 the 'Cuban Missile Crisis' but 40 yards apart.
The worst case scenario was that somebody would lose their nerve. 
'a soldier' with 'a gun' in 'a building' would lose his nerve, and a tank would fire. Then 
 everyone thinks "They're firing on us! We're firing on them!" And it goes all the way back.
The crisis ended after 3 days, when Khrushchev ordered 
 the Soviet tanks to slowly back away. 
And the East Germans once again, allowed US soldiers 
 to move freely, in and out of Berlin.
