Die Wende marks the complete process of the change from socialism and planned economy to democracy and capitalism in East Germany around the years 1989 and 1990. It encompasses several processes and events which later have become synonymous to the overall process. Theses procesesses and events are:

• Peaceful Revolution (German), a time of massive protest and demonstrations (Montagsdemonstration) against the political system of the GDR and for civil rights and human rights.^[1] in Fall 1989.
• the Fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989 following a press conference held by the Politburo during which Günter Schabowski announced the opening of the border checkpoints.
• the transition to democracy in East Germany following the Peaceful Revolution on 18 March 1990 and leading to the only democratic elections to the Volkskammer in the GDR on 18 March 1990.^[2]
• the process of German Reunification leading to the Einigungsvertrag (Treaty of Unification) on 31 August 1990, the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany on 12 September 1990 and finally the joining of the five re-established East German Länder to the Federal Republic of Germany.

In hindsight, the German word Wende (meaning "change", "turning point") then took on a new meaning; Seit der Wende; "since reunification" or "since the Wall fell"; or "since the change". This period is marked by West German aid to East Germany, a total reaching an estimated $775 billion over 10 years. This burden greatly diminished much of the initial enthusiasm the Westerners felt for the prospect of reunification.

This "turning point" has marked the reunification of Germany. Die Wende has become synonymous with the fall of the Wall, the Iron Curtain and that of the Eastern Bloc.

References

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