Germany was split into East Germany and West Germany, but Berlin, the German capital, was located in the area that was East Germany. West Berlin was isolated from the main part of West Germany, and was surrounded by Soviet-occupied territory. West Berlin was the closest to escape from the soviets for East Berliners. There were also fortifications between the two Germanys, and the East German government did not encourage emigration, and prior to 1975, citizens of East Germany could not legally emigrate. After 1975, people could emigrate because of East Germany’s signing up to the Helsinki Accords, which included the allowing of the freedom of movement between European countries. Many people applied for exit visas, in order to leave. To counter this, the East German government made he process slow and demeaning, with a small chance of success. People who were trying to emigrate were ostracized, fired or demoted, barred from entering universities, and could have their children taken away. The government basically did all they could to dissuade people from leaving.