How did the soviets respond when east berliners defected to the west in large numbers? they built a wall separating east and west berlin. they declared they were happy to see the defectors go. they asked the west to build a wall to divide berlin. they provided transportation to allow the defectors to go quickly.

The correct answer is: "They built a wall separating East and West Berlin".

After WWII, Germany was divided in four occupation zones and splitted among the victorious powers. The three fourths corresponding to France, UK and US were united and constituted the Federal Republic of Germany. On the other hand, the fourth zone that corresponded to the Soviet Union,  constituted the German Democratic Republic  (GDR). Berlin was located in the GDR area, but the city had been divided exactly in the same manner: four zones which ended up being two, West Berlin in hands of the Western powers and East Berlin in hands of the URSS.

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 and lasted until 1989. It physically circled the area of West Berlin. It prevented defection, after many people left to the Western Area. The authorities of the GDR justified is construction as the manner of preventing fascist conspirations that were operating against the construction of their socialist state.