Explain Two Consequences of The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

Question 1

First Consquence

Answer 1

One consequence was that family and friends who had been separated for nearly 30 years were finally reunited. This was when in 1961, when the Berlin Wall was first built, the concreate wall had been constructed to reach about 165km around East Germany. This meant that when the wall was pulled down in 1990, the West and East had finally been reunited and people were able to freely cross to each side. This had a significant impact on US-Soviet relationships as the Fall of The Berlin Wall became a symbol for the End of The Cold War as it showed that the Soviets were ‘backing down’, reducing their tension.

Question 2

Second Consequence

Answer 2

Another consequence was that it had led to the End of Soviet Control in Satellite States. This was when because of Gorbachev’s decision to pull the Berlin Wall down, it had encouraged the remaining Satellite States to leave Soviet control. This therefore meant that it was nearly impossible for the Warsaw Pact to survive, which is why it had been formally dissolved in 1991. This had a large impact on Soviet control over Eastern Europe as it was clear that the Soviets had lost control over their Satellite States, which meant that they no longer had protection from the Warsaw Pact.