Perestroika, or “restructuring,” shifted the power in the Soviet Union to leaders in favor of more liberal political and economic reforms. Glasnost, or “openness,” let East Germans see what freedoms they were missing through uncensored media, and speak out with what their opinions were. The Sinatra Doctrine let countries control their own affairs as they pleased, many reforming vastly, while allowing Eastern Bloc citizens free travel throughout their Bloc and preventing military force from the Soviet Union from stepping in. With new important Communist Party officials supporting reforms, and countries allowed to make their own decisions, East Germans were given more rights, and had countries around them that practiced even more democratic ideas. The replacement of Erich Honecker gave East Germany a leader who was willing to implement reforms with freedom given to East Germans. With freedom to travel and hold demonstrations, East Germans pushed the government to allow them travel to the Western Bloc without threat from the soviets. By the time a Guenter Schabowski mistakenly said that the wall was open “immediately,” nothing could stop the mobs of East Germans passionate for the freedom they fought for after such a long time. They had a right to …show more content…
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