Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 5 Reunification: recreating a united Germany, 1989–90 — Edexcel A-Level History
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Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 5 Reunification: recreating a united Germany, 1989–90 explained
Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 5 Reunification: recreating a united Germany, 1989–90 covers 3 specification points, including Reasons for the flood of refugees from the GDR… and The revolution in the GDR 1989, and its impact….
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Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
Reasons for the flood of refugees from the GDR in 1989.
The flood of refugees from the GDR in 1989 was driven by political, economic, and social reasons. Politically, Gorbachev's reforms signalled that the USSR would not intervene militarily, emboldening opposition. Economically, the GDR suffered from shortages and poor living standards compared to the West. Socially, the desire for freedom created momentum. Crucially, Hungary dismantled its border fence in May 1989 and officially opened its border to GDR refugees in September 1989. Thousands of East Germans fled via Hungary and Czechoslovakia. The refugee crisis destabilised the GDR, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall in November. The reasons are interlinked: political liberalisation, economic disparity, and the demonstration effect.
The revolution in the GDR 1989, and its impact on the FRG; the significance of Kohl's Ten Point Plan.
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.
Reasons for reunification, including different levels of prosperity in GDR and FRG, continued migration from GDR, the crumbling of the GDR state. The process and problems of reunification and reasons for its acceptance by the Four Powers.
Reunification in 1990 resulted from multiple pressures. The GDR's economy lagged behind the FRG's, with lower living standards and a weak currency, while continued migration of skilled workers undermined the GDR further. The state's authority crumbled as protests grew and the regime lost control. The process involved free elections in March 1990, the Treaty on Monetary, Economic and Social Union, and the Unification Treaty, leading to reunification on 3 October 1990. Problems included economic disparity, social integration, and the need to reassure the Four Powers. Acceptance by the Four Powers came through the Two Plus Four Treaty, which addressed security concerns and confirmed a united Germany's borders and NATO membership.
Your focus
- Students can identify and explain the political, economic, and social reasons for the refugee flood in 1989.
- Students can analyse the relative importance of these reasons and their interconnections.
- Students can evaluate the consequences of the refugee crisis for the GDR and the process of reunification.
Show all 9 objectives
- Describe the key events of the 1989 revolution in the GDR, including the opening of the Berlin Wall.
- Explain how the revolution affected the FRG politically and socially.
- Evaluate the significance of Kohl's Ten Point Plan in shaping the path to reunification.
- Identify the economic and political reasons for reunification.
- Describe the key steps in the reunification process and the problems encountered.
- Explain why the Four Powers accepted reunification and the role of the Two Plus Four Treaty.
Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 5 Reunification: recreating a united Germany, 1989–90 exam tips
Marking Points
- Explains the role of Gorbachev's reforms and the Soviet refusal to use force, which removed the fear of repression.
- Analyses the economic push factors, such as shortages, poor housing, and the contrast with West German prosperity.
- Discusses the social and political pull factors, including the desire for freedom and the opening of the Hungarian border to GDR refugees in September 1989.
- Uses specific examples, such as the mass exodus through Hungary and the Prague embassy crisis, to illustrate the flood of refugees.
- Evaluates the consequences, such as the destabilisation of the GDR and the pressure for reform leading to the fall of the Wall.
- 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.
- Explains the economic reasons for reunification, including the different levels of prosperity in the GDR and FRG and the impact of continued migration from the GDR.
- Analyses the political collapse of the GDR state and how this contributed to the push for reunification.
- Describes the process of reunification, including the March 1990 elections, the monetary union, and the Unification Treaty.
- Evaluates the problems of reunification, such as economic restructuring, social tensions, and the challenge of integrating two different systems.
- Explains why the Four Powers accepted reunification, including the Two Plus Four Treaty and the resolution of security concerns.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Structure your answer around political, economic, and social reasons, with clear topic sentences.
- 💡Use specific events and dates, such as the opening of the Hungarian border (September 1989) and the Prague embassy crisis, to support your analysis.
- 💡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.
- 💡Structure your answer around the three parts of the statement: reasons, process and problems, and acceptance by the Four Powers.
- 💡Use specific evidence, such as the March 1990 elections, the monetary union of July 1990, and the Two Plus Four Treaty.
- 💡When explaining acceptance, consider the perspectives of the Four Powers and how their security concerns were addressed.
Common Mistakes
- Attributing the refugee flood solely to economic reasons: political and social factors were equally important. Correction: adopt a multi-causal approach.
- Inaccurately dating the opening of the Hungarian border for East German refugees to May 1989. Correction: May was the start of fence dismantling, but the effective opening for GDR refugees was September 1989.
- Ignoring the role of Gorbachev: his policies were crucial in emboldening protesters. Correction: include the Soviet factor explicitly.
- Error: treating the revolution in the GDR as a single event rather than a process. Correction: show how protests, the regime's loss of authority, and the Wall's opening interacted over 1989.
- Error: assuming Kohl's Ten Point Plan immediately called for a single German state. Correction: explain that it proposed confederation and a longer-term federation, which was more cautious than immediate unification.
- Error: ignoring the impact of the GDR revolution on the FRG. Correction: discuss how the refugee movement and the GDR's instability forced the FRG to respond politically and economically.
- Error: treating the Four Powers' acceptance as automatic. Correction: explain the negotiations and concessions, such as the Two Plus Four Treaty, that addressed their concerns.
- Error: focusing only on economic reasons and ignoring political collapse. Correction: show how the crumbling of the GDR state and the loss of Communist authority were equally important.
- Error: assuming reunification was a simple merger. Correction: discuss the problems, including economic disparity, currency union effects, and social integration.