The Falling of the Berlin Wall, 1989
- Erich Honecker, East German leader ran one of the most repressive Soviet Satellite gov't
- In fall of 1989 thousands of demonstrators demanded greater freedoms
- Honecker wanted to shoot them, was overruled and replaced by Egon Krenz
- On Nov 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall was opened and free elections were held
- The West German Christian Democratic Party, led by Helmut Kohl won on a reunification platform
- 30 October, 1990 the two Germany's became one with Kohl as the Chancellor
Interesting Fact
The west side of the Berlin wall was covered in graffiti. The East side was not.
Quote
"It's always the small people who change things. It's never the politicians or the big guys. I mean, who pulled down the Berlin wall? It was all the people in the streets. The specialists didn't have a clue the day before."
-Luc Besson
-Luc Besson
Subjunctive Question
What would have been the cause for the end of the Cold War if the Berlin Wall had not fallen?
Summary
In the fall of 1989 demonstrators started demanding greater freedoms. East German leader, Erich Honecker, at the time wanted to shoot them, but was overruled and replaced by Egon Krenz. The demonstrators knocked down the Berlin Wall on Nov 9, 1989 and free elections were held. Helmut Kohl came into power in 1990 becasue he had a reunification platform. On October 30, 1990, the two Germany's became one.