The myth of German reunificationThe fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 precipitated the reunification of Germany in 1990. Negotiations and talks between Lothar de Maizière of Germany East and Helmut Kohl of West Germany and the four occupying powers The union of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union resulted in the Unification Treaty or "Treaty Two plus Four” recognizing the sovereignty of the newly unified German state. The five states of the German Democratic Republic or East Germany united with the Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany and Berlin became a unified city on October 3, 1990, marking the die wende or turning point. "By early 1991, however, just over a year after the barricade surrounding the Brandenburg Gate had been effectively removed, most Germans, East and West, were wondering whether the "The absence of the Wall was, in itself, enough to bring the nation together again." (McAdams 199). » Zealous attempts to restructure East Germany's economy after reunification in 1990 led to massive debt and high taxation, sparking disillusionment and frustration among German citizens, resulting in to a divided and unequal economy. East Germans initially yearned for German reunification, spurred partly by patriotism and largely by the lure of a better life in the West. In mid-November 1989, in East Germany, "cries were heard in street demonstrations in Leipzig, and then in many other municipalities, in favor of the single goal that unequivocally reaffirmed the existence of Germany of the East: national reunification” (McAdams 199). In December 1989, East German protests proclaimed "Deutschland einig Vaterland" ("We are one people") instead of the earlier "Wir sind das Volk" ("We are the people")" (Smyser 357. ... .. middle of paper ... it is good [,] what comes from the East is bad” (Kirschbaum) These feelings clearly show the division and discontent between the “Ossies”, the Germans. from the East, and the "Wessies" West Germans, highlighting the divide within the "united Germany". German reunification has failed in its attempt to bring the two Germanys together after almost 45 years. separation. The myriad negative ramifications brought about by reunification only deepened the divide between East and West Germans. The devaluation of the East German mark and the depopulation of East German cities. unemployment and poor living conditions, caused discontent among East Germans The "takeover" of East Germany in the act of reunification caused an imbalance. economy with its eastern half still trying to catch up with its western half, establishing the myth of German reunification.