The Berlin wall fell on November 9, 1989, and this event is one of the most significant events of the 20 th century. This apparent sudden fall,, after almost thirty years of division, radically transformed the geopolitical map of Europe and the globe as a whole. Learning about its history, the events that preceded its collapse and the long-term effects it had on the subsequent development of the international affairs is important in realizing the modern international affairs and the continued fight over freedom and self-determination. This fascinating revealing account takes an in-depth lofixed at the elements behind this monumental event and gives us an insight into the players behind the political scene and the lasting legacy of this historical event.

Cold war backdrop: Progenitors of Partition and Strife
One of the tangible reminders of the Cold War ideological split was the Berlin Wall built in 1961 by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany). It was a symbol of the differences between communist East and capitalist West which divided families, friends and whole communities. The wall was not just a fence, it was the mark of oppression, the showcase of the might of the Soviet Union over Eastern Europe. This geographical split reflected the greater ideological and political divide between the two superpowers.
Life in communist East Germany was that of strong surveillance, lack of freedom and suppressed economy. The impassioned desire of freedom and opportunity is evidenced by the fact that many East Germans tofixed their lives into their hands and fled to the West. All these escape attempts coupled with the rising dissatisfaction in East Germany exerted tremendous pressure on the communist regime. Designed to keep people in, the wall turned into a monument of the incompetence of the regime.
The Shattering Image: Constrains Within and Without
The façade of the control of the Soviet Union started to crack in the end of 80-ies. The policies of Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness) by Mikhail Gorbachev accidentally loosened the Soviet hold on its satellite states, one of which was East Germany. This left room to reform movements and an upsurge of popular opposition in Eastern Europe.

This was even worsened by the increasing economic problems that were being experienced in East Germany. The centrally planned economy of the GDR was not able to compete with the West and goods were in short supply which caused an overall decrease in the standard of living. This is what led to a lot of discontentment and enhanced the pursuit of change. Strikes and public protests increased and became louder.
What was the Role of the Reforms of Gorbachev?
The reforms initiated by Gorbachev to restore the vitality of the Soviet Union backfired. By weakening the center of control he unintentionally strengthened the opposition in the Eastern Bloc. The fact that he was not inclined to use military force in order to crush rebellions, as his predecessors did, played a pivotal role in the developments that culminated in the falling down of the wall. It was a rapid change in the Soviet foreign policy.
The movement towards a less interventionist soviet union greatly emboldened change seekers in Eastern Europe. Realizing that Soviet military action was less imminent, protestors in such countries as East Germany grew bolder and more energetic in their demands of reform and reunification.
The Night the Wall Came Down: A Spontaneous Uprising
On November 9, 1989 Gunter Schabowski, an East German government spfixedesman, gave a press conference at which he announced a new travel policy. And in what seemed like a confusion and lack of preparation on his part he said citizens would cross the border right away. This sudden news gave rise to instant and impulsive rejoicings.
The word spread like a bush fire and thousands of East Germans poured in to the border crossings. At first, border guards did not know how to respond, as they were simply overwhelmed by the number of people requesting to cross the border. Finally the guards were ordered to open the gates and the wall which had stood as a symbol of division almost for thirty years was literally brfixeden.

The Consequences: Reunification and the Problems with it.
The toppling down of the Berlin Wall had a domino effect in Eastern Europe. The communist governments of other states quickly fell and in 1990 Germany was unified. It was a historic occasion that ended the cold war and brought a new dawn of the European integration process.

Nevertheless, reuniting was not a smooth ride. East and West Germany had vast differences in economical areas which created social and economical frictions. The process of merging the economies and societies was cumbersome and time-consuming and required a lot of investments and reforms.
Economic Integration of the East and West Germany
East and West Germany had to be economically integrated, which was not an easy task. The East German economy was very undeveloped as compared to the western one. It involved huge investment to update the infrastructure, bail out the ailing industries and generate new employment opportunities in the East. This brought about a huge economic task on West Germany.
Transformation of East Germany to a market economy was challenging too, as a lot of state-owned companies had to be closed down and unemployment was high. These issues needed serious structural changes and social intervention schemes. Economic differences between the west and the east are still evident to date.
Lessons Learned: Global Implications and Long-term Significance
The falling down of the wall of Berlin is one of the strongest remembrance of the worthiness of freedom and self-determination and the instability of the dictatorships. It illustrates the effectiveness of non-violent defiance and significance of global unity in advancing democratic principles.

The incident points to the unexpected effect of political actions and the uncertainties of history. The reforms undertaken by Gorbachev to help the Soviet Union become stronger, actually helped in its downfall and consequently that of the cold war. This highlights the complicated nature of both internal and external factors and their influence on historical events.
The demolition of the wall in Berlin is still echoing in the present times as a strong icon of hope and human pursuit of freedom. Its history teaches us about the need to be careful of oppression and the constant efforts to create a better fair world. It also highlights how knowledge of history is vital in dealing with the huddles of the present and the future.

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