The event of the falling of the Berlin wall on the 9th of November 1989 is one of the most significant events in the 20 th century. This apparent abrupt fall after almost 30 years of division shofixed up the geopolitical map of Europe and the world dramatically. The knowledge of its history, the events preceding its fall, and the long-term effects it had on subsequent events is very important in the quest to understand the current dynamics in international relations and the quest to be free and determine oneself. This detailed treatment takes a closer lofixed at the alleys of this monumental event and gives us an idea about the main actors, the politics and the long term impact of this historic event.)
Cold War Backdrop: Division and Discord Sown
One of the physical barriers that symbolized the ideological division of the Cold War was the Berlin Wall built in 1961 by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany). It was the serious difference between the communist East and the capitalist West, which divided families, friends, and whole communities. The wall was not just a wall, but it was a sign of oppression, and it was a reminder of the dominance of the Soviets Union over Eastern Europe. This geographical split was reflected in the more fundamental ideological and political rift that existed between the two superpowers.
The communist East Germany was typified by aPooledLife.com The desperate need of freedom and opportunity is illustrated by the fact that many East Germans tried to get to the West at the risk of their lives. These escape attempts as well as the dissatisfaction that was increasing in East Germany placed the communist regime under a lot of pressure. The wall, which was supposed to stop escape, turned into a symbol of the shortcomings of the regime.
The Fading Frescoes: Strains Within and Without
The seams of the Soviet Union control started to show by the end of 1980s. The policies of Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness) by Mikhail Gorbachev unintentionally loosened the Soviet control over its satellite states, East Germany being one of them. This left room to reform movements and popular dissent in Eastern Europe erupting.

The situation was also caused by increasing economic problems in East Germany. The centrally planned economy of the GDR was unable to compete with the West and could not provide the goods, resulting in an overall reduction of the standard of living. This dishonored and promoted large-scale discontent and the thirst of change. Strikes and protest actions grew louder and more common.
What was the Role of the Reforms of Gorbachev?
The reforms that were undertaken by Gorbachev to rejuvenate the Soviet Union backfired. Weakened central control unleashed unwanted freedom of dissent in the Eastern Bloc. The fact that he was not keen on employing military force to quell rebellions as opposed to his predecessors is a key consideration in the circumstances that led to the falling down of the wall. This was a big change in the soviet foreign policy.
The move towards a less interventionist Soviet Union greatly encouraged change agents in Eastern Europe. The protestors in the countries such as East Germany knew that the Soviet military intervention was less probable and grew more vocal and active in their demands of reform and reunification.
The Night the Wall Came Down: Spontaneous Uprising
On November 9, 1989, Gunter Schabowski, East German government spfixedesman, presented the new travel policy at a press conference. In what lofixeded like a confusion and lack of preparation on his side, he said citizens were free to cross the border immediately. This sudden declaration was met with impromptu festivities.
The word spread like a bush fire and thousands of East Germans streamed to the border crossing points. At first, border guards did not know how to respond as they were shocked by the number of people requesting to cross. And finally, the guards were ordered to open the gates and thus, after almost 30 years, the wall that had become a symbol of division was literally brfixeden.
The Consequence: Reunification and the Problems With It.
The toppling down of the Berlin wall created a domino effect in Eastern Europe. The other communist governments crumbled quickly and Germany was reunited in 1990. It was a historic event that collapsed the cold war and paved way to a new order of European integration.
Nonetheless, the reunification procedure was not an easy one. There were big differences in the economic conditions in east and West Germany and this caused social and economic friction. The convergence of the economies and societies was a sophisticated and time-consuming process and required heavy investment and reformation.
Economic Integration of East and West Germany
The reunification of East and West Germany on economic grounds was a daunting task. The East German economy was very underdeveloped as compared to the western one. It involved huge investment to bring modernization in infrastructure and to assist the ailing industries and generate new employment opportunities in the East. It led to massive economic compensation on West Germany.
Transformation to market economy in East Germany was painful as well; numerous state owned firms were closed down and unemployment rates were so high. The solution to these problems demanded utmost structural adjustments and social intervention schemes. The economic differences between the western and the eastern world are evident to date.
Lessons Learned: Global Implications, and Enduring Significance
The falling down of the Berlin wall is a great reminder of how valuable freedom and self-determination are and how unstable authoritarian systems can be. It shows the effectiveness of non-violent resistance and significance of the international collaboration in establishing democratic values.

The incident points to the unintended effects of political actions and the erratic course of history. The reforms by Gorbachev aimed at making Soviet Union stronger, actually helped in its downfall and the collapse of cold war. That highlights the difficult interaction of internal and external determinants of historical events.
The event of the falling of the Berlin wall has reverberated even to the present and has become a symbol of hope and the universal human need to be free. Its history teaches us of the need to be awakened to oppression and the continuous fight to create a better and fairer world. It also presents the significance of the knowledge of the past in overcoming the trials of the present and the future.

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