Germany : Re-unification Flashcards
(19 cards)
How poor was the environment in the GDR ?
Highest levels of CO2 in the world
Forests were threatened by acid rain
How much lower was life expectancy in GDR than FDR ?
1989 :
men ~ 2.5 years
Women ~ 7 years
An example of GDR’s horrendous fiscal management ?
Investing DM 1bn on a massive microchip that didn’t work
What did the SED report in Oct 1989 ?
It would on take DM 9m to save the economy (relatively low amount)
What would GDR citizens chant due to wanting to merge with FRG ?
“we are one people”
What problem made unity pressure rise ?
Continued migration :
1985 - 200,000 visited FRG
Nov 1989 - Wall fell, approx. 2,000 permanently emigrated per day
Jan 1990 - Total of 60,000 emigrated
What labour problem did the mass emigration from the GDR cause ?
“Brain Drain” - Lots of skilled workers leaving
What did the productivity of the east German factories fall by after the fall of the wall ?
50%
What was a major buffer to unity of East and West ?
Germany would remain a member of NATO, USSR must approve this
What was the bargaining chip of the allied powers for uniting Germany ?
GDR’s failing economy
When did Gorbachev leave unity up to the people after realising the economy was crumbling ?
Feb 1990 - Prompted the 2 plus 4 negotiations
When were the 2 plus 4 negotiations ?
March 1990 - 4 powers and 2 German states met to discuss the terms of unity
What were the key terms of the 2 plus 4 negotiations ?
~ Article 23 - GDR accept FRG laws, willingly accepted
~ USSR tried to stall but their hand was forced due to election landslide of the pro-unity eastern CDU
~ May 1990 - Gorbachev accepted Germany as a member of NATO
When were the terms of re-unity settled ?
Sept 1990 - All reps signed “Treaty on the Final Settlement with respect to Germany”
When was Germany officially unified ?
Oct 3rd 1990 - Midnight
When was the Stasi HQ stormed by protestors ?
Jan 1990
What did Kohl and Maiziere agree ?
April 1990 - 1:1 exchange rate between DM and DDM
When did Hans Modrow become leader of the GDR ?
Dec 1989 - After the resignation of Egon Krenz
Modrow announced elections for what day and what was the outcome ?
18th March 1990 - ‘Alliance for Germany’ wins 192 seats who are backed by western CDU
