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Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference was the second meeting of three that occured between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin. The purpose of the meeting was to dicuss the fate of post-war Germany. The creation of East Germany stemmed from the decision of the the three powers to temporarily divide Germany into four sections after the war, and the Soviet Union's post-war occupation of the eastern zone of Germany and Berlin. -
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Yalta
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Creation of East Germany
After the division of Germay into four zones, there were several different communist parties that occupied the Soviet sector. Stalin instead wanted to bring all of Germany under the influence of one party, the Socialist Unity Party. When West Germany resisted, Stalin united the Soviet zone of Germany under the party, resulting in the creation of one East Germany. -
The Creation of the Berlin Wall
Many people of East Germany disliked the Russian state. They viewed West Germany as an overall better place to live. Although travel between East and West Germany was banned, many ignored the law as the barriers put up were too weak to withstand any attacks from orginizations such as NATO. The resulting Berlin Wall that was put up between East and West served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that marked Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period. -
Perestroika & Glasnost
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced his policies of Perestroika and Glasnost. Glastnost meaning "openness" and Perestroika referring to "restructuring" allowed for a more open Soviet society. These policies trickled down into communist countries under Soviet influence, including East Germany, causing chaos amongst the people as they learned they could now speak their minds without fear of persecution. -
Peaceful Revolution
Marked the beginning of peaceful protests against the German Democratic Republic. The protests stemmed from the unhappiness of the people, and from the newly formed policies of Mikhail Gorbachev. Some of his policies resulted in a weaker East Germany, and gave the people hope that change was possible. This hope pushed them to begin these demonstrations, ultimately resulting in the reunification of Germany. -
Erich Honecker leaves power
Erich Honecker, the Communist leader of East Germany was forced to leave his position. He was in power for 18 years, it was said he left due to bad health, but it is assumed that the disconent across the country and political party has something to do with his departure as well. People were upset with his general lack of empathy for the people and poor living conditions. He would be replaced by Egon Krenz. -
Borders open
The government eases eases travel and emigration restrictions. Although they orginial meant for this to stem the flow of people from East Germany, the lak on clarity caused many to rush towards the checkpoints. The masses of people took gaurds by surprise and they opened the barriers. The Berlin wall was destroyed during the chaos and became a symbol of the end of the Cold War. -
Free Elections
In response to the series of protests by the people, East Germnay held it's first free election. The elections were in favor of reunification, and led to discussions between East and West Germany that resulted in a Unification Treaty that ended the divided Germany. -
Two Economies become One
For the first time in history, a capitalist and socialist economy suddenly become one. Since there were no guidelines as to how this should be done, and the East German economy was already begining to fail. It's tie to failing Soviet economies did not help the situation. East Germany was economically behind, and had a poor infastructure which made consilidation of East and West German ecnomies difficult, but necessary, -
Germany unified
East Germany and West Germany formed a new country. A new administration took over the new unified country under the leader ship of Helmut Kohl. -
The capital is renamed Berlin
The city of Bonn in Germany was chosen by the Western zones to become the capital of West Germany while it was divided. When Germany was reunified, voting took place in parliment to move the capital back to Berlin. After 10 hours of debate, and votes of 338 to 320, Berlin was named the capital of the new Germany. -
Honecker Trials
Erich Honecker, previous leader of East Germany if prosecuted for war crimes. Evidence shows that Honecker may have been involved with the deaths of almost 500 East Germans who tried to leave East Germany when there were laws that banned such activity. Due to ill health the Honecker trial was dissolved and he escaped punishment. -
Helmut Kohl defeated
After a very successful political career, the previous leader of West Germany, and the newly unified Germany falters. Kohl is defeated by the German Social Democratic Party in the elections. Gerhard Schroeder, the victor, promises to push Germany into a new prosperous era, far away from the troubles of reunification and the heavy unemployment that occured under Kohl's leadership in the late 1990's.
