The End of the Cold War

THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION

The Soviet Union was spending too much
money
putting down revolts within its country
protecting its borders
keeping up with the United States in the
arms race.

THE COLLAPSE OF THE

SOVIET UNION
Mikhail Gorbachev, the head of the Soviet Union
Perestroika-reduced government control of business,
more economic freedom
Glasnost-increased openness of the government and
more freedoms for Soviet citizens
These actions helped to improve relations with the
United States
Inspired people in other Eastern Bloc countries (Warsaw
Pact)to demand freedom from communist rule.

THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION

The Soviet republics that had once been
separate countries began seeking their
independence too.
The Soviet Union was no more.
The Cold War was over 1947 - 1991
Many countries were created from the former
Soviet Union.
Russia was the largest.

Cold War: And the Wall Comes

Tumbling Down
The fall of the Berlin Wall
in August of 1989 became
the symbol of the fall of
communism in Europe
and the end of the Cold
War.

Cold War: And the Wall Comes

Tumbling Down

Cold War: And the Wall Comes

Tumbling Down
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germans from
East Berlin/Germany could finally travel across the
border into West Berlin/Germany freely.
This was the beginning of the reunification of East
and West Germany.
The two parts of Germany had been divided since the
end of World War II in 1945.

Cold War: One Germany

The newly reformed Germany has struggled to
reshape itself into one nation again.
Though people were happy with the event, the
difficulties of bringing former East Germanys
infrastructure up to West German standards has
taken a long time.
Today, the reunification is considered to be a
success.

Summary
Explain how the collapse of the Soviet
Union led to the end of the Cold War and
German reunification.