- The collapse of East Germany began in 1989 with Hungary opening its border with Austria, allowing hundreds of East Germans to flee to the West. Mass protests in East Germany escalated in October 1989, leading to Honecker's removal from power. On November 9th, 1989, the Berlin Wall was opened when border guards allowed East Berliners to cross freely into West Berlin. - Economic stagnation and political dissent grew sharply in East Germany throughout the 1980s. Gorbachev's reforms in the Soviet Union encouraged opposition groups in East Germany and removed Soviet support for the East German government. - German reunification was completed in 1990 when East Germany's states joined West Germany and free all

1. HI136 The History of Germany Lecture 18 The Collapse of Communism and Reunification

3. Protests in Leipzig, 9 October 1989 East Germans scale the Berlin Wall, 9-10 November 1989

10. Source: Mary Fulbrook (ed.), Germany since 1800