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CLASS 10 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE

Peaceful Revolution and German Unity – Basic Principles

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The Peaceful Revolution in the GDR 1989 led to the overthrow of SED rule and the opening of the Berlin Wall. Mass protests, above all in Leipzig and other cities, demanded democracy, freedom of travel and reforms. The government initially reacted hesitantly, but pressure from the population and international developments (e.g. Perestroika in the Soviet Union) accelerated the changes. German unity was achieved on 3. October 1990 through the accession of the GDR to the Federal Republic of Germany. Central principles are non-violent protest, the role of citizen movements, the significance of international framework conditions and the process of state unification.

Note
The Peaceful Revolution and German unity were based on non-violent protest, social change, international influences and legal steps toward the unification of the two German states.

An example

What was a central aim of the mass protests in the GDR 1989?

A central aim of the mass protests was the introduction of democracy and freedom of opinion. The demonstrators demanded free elections and political participation, which was expressed in slogans such as “We are the people”.

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