Reunification of Germany
The Reunification of Germany refers to the official merging of East Germany and West Germany into a single nation, the Federal Republic of Germany, on October 3, 1990. This historic event marked the end of a division that began after World War II, when Germany was split into two distinct states: the capitalist West, aligned with the U.S. and its allies, and the communist East, under Soviet influence. The reunification process was significantly influenced by shifting political dynamics in Eastern Europe, particularly the policies of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which led to a relaxation of Soviet control over East Germany.
In the late 1980s, widespread public demand for democratic reforms grew in East Germany, culminating in the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, an event symbolizing the desire for unity and freedom. The collapse of the East German government soon followed, paving the way for formal reunification. Today, the anniversary of reunification is celebrated as the Day of German Unity, reflecting on both the challenges and progress made since the reunification. The event is significant not only for Germany but also as a landmark moment in European history, representing the end of Cold War divisions.
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Reunification of Germany
Reunification of Germany
The present-day nation of Germany, known as the Federal Republic of Germany, was officially re-formed on October 3, 1990, when the formerly separate states of East Germany and West Germany were reunited.
The history of Germany is a long and turbulent one. A part of Charlemagne's kingdom during the Middle Ages, it dissolved into a collection of small and medium-sized states which were gradually unified under the leadership of Prussia in the 19th century. However, during the 20th century Germany was defeated in both World War I and World War II, and after World War II the country was divided between the victorious Allies. The U.S.-, British-, and French-controlled areas became West Germany and the large Soviet-controlled region became East Germany. East Germany was a Soviet puppet state and ally during the Cold War between the Western nations and the Soviet Union following World War II, but the Cold War began to wind down in the 1980s.
Under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet empire began to loosen its control over East Germany and other satellite states in Eastern Europe, gradually withdrawing military and economic support. The result was that the puppet regime of East Germany began to collapse under increasing popular demands for democratic reforms and reunification with West Germany, which was much larger and far more prosperous. On November 9, 1989, the government of East Germany lifted security and travel measures which had existed for decades, and in the divided city of Berlin (capital of prewar Germany) the citizenry spontaneously gathered to tear down the barrier between the East German and West German portions known as the Berlin Wall. Less than a year later the East German state totally collapsed, and the two nations were officially reunited on October 3, 1990. This event is now a public holiday in Germany known as the Day of German Unity.