Die Wende
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Die Wende marks the complete process of the change from socialism and planned economy to market economy and capitalism in East Germany around the years 1989 and 1990. It encompasses several processes and events which later have become synonymous with the overall process. These processes and events are:
- Peaceful Revolution (German), a time of massive protest and demonstrations (Montagsdemonstration) against the political system of the GDR and for civil rights and human rights.[1] in Fall 1989.
- the Fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989 following a press conference held by the Politbüro during which Günter Schabowski announced the opening of the border checkpoints.
- the transition to democracy in East Germany following the Peaceful Revolution on 18 March 1990 and leading to the only democratic elections to the Volkskammer in the GDR on 18 March 1990.[2]
- the process of German Reunification leading to the Einigungsvertrag (Treaty of Unification) on 31 August 1990, the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany on 12 September 1990 and finally the joining of the five re-established East German Länder to the Federal Republic of Germany.
In hindsight, the German word Wende (meaning "change", "turning point") then took on a new meaning; Seit der Wende; "since reunification" or "since the Wall fell"; or "since the change". This period is marked by West German aid to East Germany, a total reaching an estimated $775 billion over 10 years. This burden greatly diminished much of the initial enthusiasm the Westerners felt for the prospect of reunification.[citation needed]
This "turning point" has marked the reunification of Germany. The term was first used publicly in East Germany on 18 October 1989 in a speech by interim GDR leader Egon Krenz (the term having been used on the cover of influential West German news magazine Der Spiegel two days previously). Whilst it initially referred to the end of the old East German government, Die Wende has become synonymous with the fall of the Wall and of the East German state, and indeed of the entire Iron Curtain and Eastern Bloc state socialism.
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