several economic disparities between East and West Germany

West Germany had larger population and greater industrial output:

experienced the economic miracle in 1950s-1960s, received Marshall Aid from the US
East Germany - post 1949 programme of forced
collectivisation of farms and socialization was disastrous social
welfare of citizens decreased

lack of political freedom within East Germany

first major riots within Soviet sphere of influence in the riots of June
1953 which were put down swiftly by Soviet tanks
citizens of East Germany were encouraged by the prosperity and freedom in West
Germany to flee their country
influx of young and skilled East Germans
Kruschev threatened the West during 1958 with a strategic ultimatum
threatened to turn control of access routes to Western sectors of Berlin to
the GDR
would force the West to recognize the existence and sovereignty of GDR
in order to facilitate for negotiations to attempt to solve the situation
Kennedy broadening range of options for resisting communism
noticed that communist forces were lending assistance to revolutionary
movements
moved away from Eisenhowers massive retaliation policy
Bay of Pigs invasion - failure and embarrassment
caused Kruschev to take advantage of Kennedys
weaknesses and create ultimatum
Berlin Wall - communist message had failed
Kruschev able to regain control over situation and free himself from
pressure from Ulbricht
Ulbricht consolidated communist control in the FDR due to closed
borders in Berlin
symbol of division between the West and the East - Iron Curtain
collapse of Soviet Union began in 1989; people began dismantling the
wall in that year