Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 5 Reunification:…

The idea

The 1989 revolution in the GDR began with mass protests and the regime's loss of control. Citizens demanded reform, and the opening of the Berlin Wall on 9 November allowed free movement. This destabilised the GDR and confronted the FRG with a refugee and legitimacy crisis. Chancellor Kohl responded on 28 November with a Ten Point Plan for overcoming the division of Germany and Europe. It proposed confederation and eventual federation, but not immediate unification. The plan shaped FRG policy, reassured allies and accelerated the collapse of the GDR. It also raised the question of a united Germany's place in Europe, making the plan significant for the reunification process.

What earns the marks

• Explains how the revolution in the GDR developed in 1989, including the role of mass protests, the reform movement, and the opening of the Berlin Wall on 9 November.
• Analyses the impact of the GDR revolution on the FRG, such as the refugee crisis, pressure on the FRG government, and the opportunity to pursue reunification.
• Explains the content and aims of Kohl's Ten Point Plan of 28 November 1989, including confederation and the goal of a federal united Germany.
• Assesses the significance of the Ten Point Plan for the reunification process, including its effect on the GDR, the FRG, and the Four Powers.
• Uses specific evidence, such as the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig, the New Forum, the fall of the Wall, and the Ten Point Plan, to support arguments.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating the revolution in the GDR as a single event rather than a process.

  Put it right: Show how protests, the regime's loss of authority, and the Wall's opening interacted over 1989.

• Assuming Kohl's Ten Point Plan immediately called for a single German state.

  Put it right: Explain that it proposed confederation and a longer-term federation, which was more cautious than immediate unification.

• Ignoring the impact of the GDR revolution on the FRG.

  Put it right: Discuss how the refugee movement and the GDR's instability forced the FRG to respond politically and economically.

Exam tips

• Plan your answer around the three parts of the statement: the revolution, its impact on the FRG, and the significance of the Ten Point Plan.
• Use precise dates and terms, such as 9 November 1989 and 28 November 1989, to show secure knowledge.
• When assessing significance, weigh short-term and long-term effects, and consider different perspectives, including those of the FRG, the GDR, and the Four Powers.