1. World History 3201 Chapter 7 German Reunification

2. A. Soviet Union, after 1985, withdrew its military support for satellite Communist governments, including East Germany B. Hopes were raised in East Germany for reunification with West Germany C. Demonstrations for reform increased D. East German Communist Party chief, Erich Honeker, was forced from office in 1989

3. German Reunification E. Reform-minded government took control of East Germany and opened the borders F. This led to the dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989 G. Thousands of East Germans fled H. West German chancellor Helmert Kohl proposed a unnification plan, if East Germany agreed to hold free elections

4. German Reunification (con’t) I. Free elections were eventually held in East Germany in March 1990, whereby the people voted for a government that supported reunification J. East and West Germany were reunited on October 3, 1990

5. Problems of German Reunification 1. The economy was much more prosperous and the standard of living was much higher in West Germany than it was in East Germany 2. West German laws and practices were applied to the whole country… banking, taxes, welfare system 3. Guaranteed employment and subsidized food, features of the East German communist system, were done away with

6. Problems of German Reunification 4. Many West Germans resented financing the much higher spending on social welfare programs in the east 5. Many Germans resented the large influx of immigrants and refugees into their country because they felt they were taking away jobs from Germans 6. Skinheads and others often attacked and killed immigrants and refugees

7. Political Rivalry in the Soviet Union A. Gorbachev was more popular in the West than in his own country B. Gorbachev’s main rival was Boris Yeltsin, the president of Russia, the largest of the Soviet republics C. Gorbachev and Yeltsin were both committed to reform, but Gorbachev wanted to introduce reforms by reforming the Communist system, while Yeltsin wanted Communist system abolished D. Gorbachev, who had not been elected by the people in a democratic election, lost popularity as the economy declined and the standard of living did not improve

8. The Moscow Coup (August 1991) Small groups of hardline communists, whom Gorbachev had supported, attempted a coup to overthrow Gorbachev and the reform movement Small groups of hardline communists, whom Gorbachev had supported, attempted a coup to overthrow Gorbachev and the reform movement It began on August 18 when Gorbachev was placed under house arrest It began on August 18 when Gorbachev was placed under house arrest The Communist hardline leaders, trying to eliminate the radical reform group headed by Yeltsin, ordered army tanks through the streets of Moscow, including the Russian parliament where Yeltsin had taken refuge The Communist hardline leaders, trying to eliminate the radical reform group headed by Yeltsin, ordered army tanks through the streets of Moscow, including the Russian parliament where Yeltsin had taken refuge

9. Moscow Coup (con’t) Yeltsin emerged from the building and defied the soldiers and declared that the army supported the people who wanted democracy Yeltsin emerged from the building and defied the soldiers and declared that the army supported the people who wanted democracy Coup leaders, realizing Yeltsin had the support of the people, gave up their coup attempt and dispersed Coup leaders, realizing Yeltsin had the support of the people, gave up their coup attempt and dispersed Yeltsin was now perceived to be the real leader of the Soviet Union Yeltsin was now perceived to be the real leader of the Soviet Union Betrayed by his own party, Gorbachev resigned and recommended the dissolution of the Communist Party Betrayed by his own party, Gorbachev resigned and recommended the dissolution of the Communist Party

10. The Effects of the Moscow Coup Prior to the coup attempt, Communist leaders had planned to block the new Union Treaty, which Gorbachev had proposed in order to give the rebublics greater control over their internal affairs, thereby hopefully keeping the Soviet Union together Prior to the coup attempt, Communist leaders had planned to block the new Union Treaty, which Gorbachev had proposed in order to give the rebublics greater control over their internal affairs, thereby hopefully keeping the Soviet Union together The failed coup exposed weaknesses of the central government The failed coup exposed weaknesses of the central government Nationalism increased in many republics Nationalism increased in many republics By the end of August 1991, most republics had declared independence By the end of August 1991, most republics had declared independence The failed coup brought about the end of Soviet communism, Soviet Union, and Gorbachev’s leadership The failed coup brought about the end of Soviet communism, Soviet Union, and Gorbachev’s leadership