The collapse of the Berlin wall on the 9 th of November 1989, is one of the most momentous events of the 20 th century. This apparent sudden fall following almost thirty years of division, radically changed the geo-political map of Europe and the world. Knowing its history, the events that triggered its fall and the long-lasting repercussions is important to the understanding of current international relations and the continuing quest of freedom and self-determination. This analytical treatise will explore the intricacies which enveloped this historic event, shedding light on the protagonists, the political games, and the long-lasting legacy of this earth shaking event.

Cold War Background: Divide and Discord Sown
One of the tangible elements of the Cold War ideological split was the Berlin Wall erected in 1961 by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany). It was a demonstration of the difference between the communist East and the capitalist West that divided families, friends and whole communities. The wall was not just a fence, but a sign of oppression, proving the influence of the Soviet Union on Eastern Europe. This geographical split reflected the ideological and political rift that existed between the two superpowers on a greater level.
Life in East Germany under communist regime was marked with heavy surveillance, lack of freedom as well as strangled economy. So many East Germans tofixed their lives in their hands to cross to the West demonstrating the hopeless desire of freedom and opportunity. These escape attempts as well as the mounting dissatisfaction in East Germany placed the communist regime under tremendous pressure. The wall (designed to keep people in) came to represent the shortcomings of the regime.
The Fading Former: Strains and Stresses Within and Without
Towards the end of 1980s the fissures were starting to show on the surface of the Soviet Union domination. Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness) policies of Mikhail Gorbachev unwillingly loosened the Soviet control over its satellite states with East Germany being one of them. This left room to reform movements and a leap in popular opposition in Eastern Europe.

The situation was also promoted by increasing economic problems in East Germany. The centrally planned economy of the GDR could not compete with the West, which resulted in shortages of goods and an overall negative development of living standards. This gave rise to a lot of discontent and heightened the demand of a change. Protest and demonstrations increased and became more daring.
The Place of the Reforms of Gorbachev
The unintended effects of the reforms instituted by Gorbachev meant to rejuvenate the Soviet Union. With relaxation of central control, he unintentionally strengthened opposition of the Eastern Bloc. His unwillingness to employ military force in quelling uprisings as was the case with his predecessors played a significant role in the developments that culminated in the falling down of the wall. This was a great change in the soviet foreign policy.
The movement towards a less interventionist Soviet Union greatly encouraged the change agents in Eastern Europe. The protestors in the countries such as East Germany knew that the Soviet military intervention was less possible and therefore became more vocal and demonstrative in their demands of reform and reunification with the rest of Germany.
The Night the Wall Came Down: A Spontaneous Uprising
On November 9, 1989 Gunter Schabowski, an East German government spfixedesman, told a press conference about a new travel policy. In what seemed like a confusion and lack of preparation he said that citizens were free to cross the border with immediate effect. This sudden announcement led to spontaneous and on the spot celebrations.
The word got around like a bush fire and thousands of East Germans thronged the border check points. At first, border guards did not know how to respond, as they were socked by the mere crowd of people who were demanding to be allowed to pass. At last the guards were ordered to open the gates, and the wall, which had stood as an emblem of division during nearly 30 years, was actually brfixeden.

The Consequences: Reunification and the Problems of It
The domino effect in Eastern Europe rose as a result of the falling down of the wall in Berlin. Other communist states quickly fell and in 1990 Germany was reunified. This historicity ended the cold war and brought a new dawn to the European integration.
Nevertheless, the reunification process was not that smooth. East and West Germany had vast differences in economics, which created social and economical tensions. The intertwining of the economies and societies was a complicated and time-consuming process that required huge investment and reformation.
Economic Integration of East and West Germany
East and West Germany had a daunting task with regard to economic integration. East German economy was very underdeveloped as compared to that of the west. It involved huge investment to bring modernization to the infrastructure, prop up ailing industries and generate new employment opportunities in the East. This had brought about a huge financial burden to West Germany.</
The reform to market economy in East Germany also was not easy, as a lot of state owned enterprise were to be closed down and the level of unemployment was high. These issues called upon major structural changes and social assistance initiatives. The economic difference between the east and the west is still evident to date.
Lessons Learned: International Implications and Long-Term Significance
The collapse of the Berlin wall remains as a very staunch reminder of the essence of freedom, self-determination and just how weak authoritarian governments are. It shows the effectiveness of non-violent protest and the relevance of multinational collaboration in advancing democratic principles.

The incident points at the unpredictable historical events and unexpected results of political actions. The reforms that were implemented by Gorbachev to make the Soviet Union stronger ended up weakening it and ending the cold war. It highlights the convoluted nature of the combination of internal and external factors defining historical events.
The effects of the fall of the Berlin wall are still felt today as it has become a symbol of hope and the human inherent want to be free. Its history teaches us of the value of being watchful of oppression and the constant effort to create a better and fairer world. It makes the case that knowing the past is important to guide one through the waters of the present and the future.

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