What were the key events leading up to German reunification?

The key events leading up to German reunification were the fall of the Berlin Wall, peaceful protests, and political negotiations.

The process of German reunification was a complex one, marked by a series of significant events that began in the late 1980s. The first major event was the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. This was a direct result of the political changes happening in the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev's policies of Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring). These policies led to a relaxation of the Soviet Union's control over its satellite states, including East Germany. As a result, East Germans began to demand greater political freedom and economic opportunities, leading to widespread protests.

These peaceful protests, known as the Monday Demonstrations, were another key event. They began in Leipzig in September 1989 and quickly spread to other East German cities. The protesters demanded the right to travel freely and for democratic reforms. The East German government initially tried to suppress these protests, but as their size and frequency increased, the government was forced to concede. This led to the opening of the Berlin Wall and the resignation of the East German government.

The final key event was the political negotiations that took place in 1990. These negotiations, known as the Two Plus Four Agreement, involved the two Germanys (East and West) and the four Allied powers (the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France). The negotiations resulted in the agreement that Germany could be reunified, but with certain conditions. These included the commitment that a reunified Germany would be a democratic and peaceful state, and that it would respect the existing borders in Europe.

In conclusion, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the peaceful protests, and the political negotiations were the key events that led to the reunification of Germany. Each of these events played a crucial role in bringing about the end of the division of Germany, which had been a major symbol of the Cold War.