Why was Reunification of the GDR and the FRG so rapid?

By the end of 1989, 1 million chose to stay in West Germany - people no longer had faith in or trusted the SED government.

The corrpution of high officials became public knowledge and local party officials felt that party mechanics weren't functioning

The opening of the wall had also destroyed the image of stability and permanence

Krenz proposed radical reforms such as free party elections and a privatised media - divisions appeared in the party as to whether these reforms were too radical or whether reunification was possible

on 1st December the SED element of the constitution was removed and Krenz resigned as General Secretary

Their last action was to promote Modrow who created the Socialist Unity Party of Germany - Party of Democratic Socialism (SED-PDS) - he was a reformer and Gorbachev's choice of leader who redesigned government and created a council of ministers which incorporated opposition members of 'the Round Table'. Announced free elections, economic reforms that reduced central planning.

The 'Round Table' had been created to facilitate talks between National Bloc parties and new Opposition Parties like Democracy Now and New Forum. It was designed to promote national elections, a new constitution and the dissolution of the Stasi. 

The new opposition groups believed in a third way in which the GDR would continue to be a democratic, Stasi-free state.

70,000 people still left the GDR in January 1990.

On 25th December 1989 a concert playing the ninth symphony of Beethoven took place and the words 'ode to joy' were changed to 'ode to freedom'. - increased hope for reunification.

On 15th January there was a protest outside of the Stasi headquarters in Berlin. The Stasi tried to burn evidence but the protestors ransacked the building, saving the evidence. 

SPD = Social Democratic Party, had links with Germany's SPD and was confident in achieving a majority.

Allicance '90 = alliance of organisations like IFM, New Forum and Democracy Now

PDS = Former SED, accepted it would have to link itself with the FRG at some point.

CDU = Christian Democratic Union, advocated a free market economy and reunification at a faster pace. 'Alliance for Germany' was a part of this.

Results: 

Alliance for Germany = 48% 

SPD = 22% 

PDS = 16% (mostly officials and intelligentsia)

Alliance '90 = less than 3% (due to disjointed party beliefs)

Head of the CDU Lother de Maizière became prime minister. 

Currency Union took place on 1st July - Government removed subsidies as Western goods flooded into shops. GDR goods went unsold and unemployment rose significantly.

250,000 farmers protested against ending of subsidies - inefficiences clearly visible as they could no longer compete with the West. 

THIS WAS USED TO ENCOURAGE TO SUPPORT OF RAPID REUNIFICATION

Terms: 

• They would renounce all rights in Germany, including Berlin and its borders.
• USSR agreed that Germany could continue their membership as part of NATO. But NATO troops could not be stationed within the GDR. 
• No nuclear weapons.

Attitude of Kohl: Worried that immigration from West Germany was putting financial pressure on FRG. On 28th November he put forward a ten point plan without any consoltation from allies.

Attitude of Thatcher: Had reservations over a united Germany, British Media fuelled public. Attempted to organise a slower process with Mitterand but this failed.

Attitude of Bush: Wanted reunification to go ahead, although he had been lukewarm about the opeing of the wall, but perhaps so he didn't upset the Soviets. It would also mean an end to the Cold War and less defence spending. 

Visited the GDR in December 1989 and was convinced that reunification could be possible. 

Rejected Modrow's plan that a united Germany should be militarily neutral. 

By February 1990 he explicitly supported the GDR's CDU for rapid reunfication. 

Negotiations with Gorbachev: 

Kohl agreed to fund the removal of toops in the GDR (some troops privately requested to stay.) Paid DM 12 billion to settle troops back in USSR.

This deal took place in July 1990 and paved the way for the 'Two-Plus-Four-Treaty.'