Diplomatic documents · 1989–1990
A selection of telegrams, memos, minutes and letters from embassies and foreign ministries in eleven countries, set against the events from autumn 1989 to German unity.
Brandenburger Tor, 30 Jahre Mauerfall (2019): New York-air, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hungary opens its border to Austria for GDR citizens
Monday demonstration in Leipzig
Honecker is replaced by Egon Krenz as SED General Secretary
The Berlin Wall opens
During the telephone call with President Bush, Chancellor Kohl reported on his trip to Poland and the situation in East Germany after the Berlin Wall was first breached the previous day.
Robert M. Gates, USA United States of America · White House–
Washington, D.C., 10 November 1989
Read documentPreliminary assessment of the implications of the dramatic events in East Berlin for US policy in Europe.
USA United States of America · State DepartmentJames Baker, USA United States of America · State Department
Washington, D.C., 10 November 1989
Read documentKohl presents his Ten-Point Plan
In response to the President’s request, an analysis of how recent events in Eastern Europe would impact Soviet policy in Germany. Included: Memorandum for Brent Scowcroft/Robert Gates, 29.11.1989.
Brent Scowcroft, USA United States of America · White HouseGeorge Herbert Walker Bush, USA United States of America · White House
Washington, D.C., 29 November 1989
Read documentThe Brandenburg Gate reopens
President Bush and Chancellor Kohl discussed proposals for the conventional force reduction talks in Vienna, particularly in light of recent developments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
Philip D. Zelikow, USA United States of America · National Security Council–
Washington, D.C., 26 January 1990
Read documentOttawa: agreement on the Two-plus-Four talks
Discussion of the U.S. position in the upcoming Two-Plus-Four Talks on German reunification, particularly in light of Soviet concerns
Brent Scowcroft, USA United States of America · White HouseGeorge Herbert Walker Bush, USA United States of America · White House
Washington, D. C., 19 February 1990
Read documentFirst free elections to the GDR People’s Chamber
First Two-plus-Four ministerial meeting in Bonn
Monetary, economic and social union enters into force
Arkhyz, Caucasus: Kohl and Gorbachev agree on a united Germany in NATO
Unification Treaty signed
Two-plus-Four Treaty signed in Moscow
German reunification
German–Polish Border Treaty signed