Who ended the Cold War?
When we look at events in history, especially major events, we can sometimes be fooled into thinking:
- The events were inevitable – they were always going to happen: This is not true. Events like the end of the Cold War could easily have worked out differently or not come about at all (there could have been a 'real' war). It required particular factors at particular times in particular places to develop in the way it did.
- The political leaders made it happen: This is usually only part of the story. Usually other factors play an important role as well. Luck is usually important, as are economic forces. And the people – they are often forgotten.
Now we are going to assess the end of the Cold War for ourselves.
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Aims:
- Understand the factors which led to the end of the Cold War
- Assess the relative importance of and relationship between these factors
- Explain the above factors in diagram form
Brandenburg Gate as a symbol
Why did the wall come down?
What was it like to grow up in the GDR?
Why is there so much graffiti in Berlin?
What was the impact of the wall coming down in East Berlin?
Frederick Forsyth - What led to a thaw in the Cold War?
