1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall Answers

1. How did Jaeger’s reaction to the news reflect the communication at the time between the Soviet Powers and their people? The communication had stopped and the guards had no clue what to do. They had always been under the control of the Soviet Union. Many did not know what to do next.

2. Who coined the term “the Iron Curtain?” Winston Churchhill

3. What countries did communists take power? Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Albania, and many others

4. Initially, what was the easiest way for East Berliners to get to West Berlin? Initially, they were able to leave on the subway.

6. What was the policy of Containment? Applying patient pressure- military, economically, and moral- avoiding a frontal attack.

6. What problems were facing the Soviet Union in the late 1980’s The Soviet Union was militarily drained, economically stretched, and morally sapped. The Soviets no longer had the discipline to conviction to maintain a failed economic and political system based on the threat of violence toward dissenters.

7. What is the relationship between Russia and the United States? Not allies but not adversaries…

9. What are some of the negative effects of the fall of the Soviet Union in Asia and Europe? Ethnic tensions (many of which were suppressed under communist rule) sparked wars in the Balkans and genocide in Rwanda. In the Middle East, there was a rise in Islamic fundamentalism fueled terrorism against the west.