Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The Fall of the Berlin Wall (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Why did the Berlin Wall fall in 1989? - Timeline & Summary
The Berlin Wall had been a symbol of Cold War tension since its creation in 1961. It represented the 'Iron Curtain' that Winston Churchill discussed in 1946. It was a physical and cultural divide between East and West, communism and capitalism, democracy and dictatorship. In March 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became the new General Secretary of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev attempted to reform and improve the Soviet Union. The citizens of the Soviet Union and the satellite states of Eastern Europe began to speak out against their communist governments. This pressure resulted in the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. After the end of the communist government in Hungary, it became more likely that East Germany and the Berlin Wall would collapse. Pressure from the USA also helped to bring an end to the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall was a major roadblock for strong US-Soviet relations. In 1987, the US president, Ronald Reagan, gave a speech in West Berlin. He demanded that Gorbachev "tear down" the Berlin Wall. Reagan believed there was a chance that he could end the Cold War with Gorbachev as leader of the Soviet Union. This became a reality as the collapse of the Berlin Wall triggered the collapse of the Soviet Union. |
The Influence of Independent Eastern European Countries
The reforms in Hungary directly influenced the GDR
The communist government removed the electrified fence between Hungary and Austria in May 1988
Czechoslovakians and East Germans could escape to the West through the open border between Hungary and Austria
By October 1989, Hungary and Poland had removed their communist governments through elections
The Soviet Union did not react or stop the end of communism in Hungary and Poland
East Germans began to protest against their communist government
The GDR refused to implement democratic reforms
The GDR asked for the support of the Soviet Union to repress the protests in October 1989. Gorbachev refused to intervene in East Germany
The end of Travel Restrictions to West Berlin
The new leader of the GDR, Egon Krenz, attempted to end the protests in East Germany
The East German Communist Party met to discuss a new travel policy
The meeting decided to make emigration to the West easier by allowing citizens to cross at all border crossings between East and West Berlin
On 9th November, the Communist Party announced the plan to the media
Upon questioning, a communist representative called Günter Schabowski announced that the new travel policy would begin straight away
This was incorrect to what Krenz and the party had agreed upon
East and West Berliners crowded the borders in an attempt to cross
Border guards could not control the crowds. The guards opened the borders
Thousands of East Berliners crossed to West Berlin on 9th November
Both East and West Berliners began to pull parts of the Berlin Wall down
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A common misconception that students have is that East Germany and the Soviet Union intended to pull down the Berlin Wall. The narrative of this event shows that this was not the case. The GDR government made a serious mistake by implementing their new travel policy immediately. It showed the lack of organisation that East Germans were protesting against.
Consequences of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
The collapse of the Berlin Wall had a significant impact on the lives of Berliners
Families were reunited after nearly 30 years apart
The media reported scenes of emotional reunions to a worldwide audience
Berliners continued to attempt to deconstruct the Berlin Wall
Throughout November, Berliners attempted to break down the wall with any available equipment
The fall of the Berlin Wall had wider political impacts
It encouraged more of the Eastern Bloc to break away from communist control
By December 1990, there was no longer a Soviet influence in Eastern Europe
The collapse of the Berlin Wall became a symbol of the end of the Cold War
The 'Iron Curtain' no longer existed in Europe
There was no need for a confrontational relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union
In 1990, Germany was reunified into one country
Worked Example
Explain one consequence of the fall of the Berlin Wall
4 marks
Answers:
One consequence of the fall of the Berlin Wall was the end of the Cold War. Since 1961, the Berlin Wall has caused issues between the USA and the Soviet Union. On 9th November 1989, during a mistake in a press conference about the GDR's new travel policy, the Berlin Wall became redundant. It was torn down in 1990. The fall of the Berlin Wall ended the Cold War because it was a symbol of the 'Iron Curtain' between East and West. The USA and the Soviet Union could no longer be confrontational about the issue of Berlin. It showed Gorbachev's commitment to reforming the Soviet Union. This change in mindset allowed the USA and the Soviet Union to end Cold War tensions and work together to reunite Germany.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This question has previously asked you to explain two consequences. In the Superpower Relations exam paper for 2025, this question will ask you to explain one consequence. However, there will be two different "Explain one consequence of" questions, each worth four marks.
To gain four marks, your consequence should include:
An identified consequence of the event that is stated in the question
Specific own knowledge linked to the event that shows in-depth knowledge of the period
Using the own knowledge to explain the consequence of the chosen event
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