Why Did The Berlin Wall Eventually Go Down?

The toppling of the Berlin Wall started in November 1989 when the East German authorities allowed its citizens free passage to West Germany for the first time since the city was separated into East and West in 1945. Triggered by massive political changes occurring in and around the Soviet Union this step was itself the catalyst for a popular movement. Thousands of East Germans crossed to the West in one night on the 9th November 1989 sparking a massive assault on the wall by ordinary people who took it down over several weeks, eventually with the practical help of the authorities. The political changes driving this historic event are complex. Pressure from pro-independence movements inside the Soviet Union together with the economic advantages of ending the Cold War and being able to participate fully in global markets were all contributory factors to this significant political shift.

Add Comment

Report