Final answer:
The chronological order of events from the Russian Revolution to the Fall of the Soviet Union is: Russian Revolution, Communism spreads in Europe, Germany divided between East and West, Berlin Wall Built, Germany Reunified, Fall of Soviet Union. Germany now plays a critical role economically in a unified Europe, mindful of its divisive past.
Step-by-step explanation:
The events concerning Germany and Europe's shift from the times of World War II to the fall of the Soviet Union can be placed in chronological order as follows:
- Russian Revolution - This event, which occurred in 1917, led to the first communist state in Russia.
- Communism spreads in Europe - After World War II, many countries in Eastern Europe fell under Soviet influence and adopted communist governments.
- Germany divided between East and West - Post-World War II, in 1949, Germany was officially divided into East Germany (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) under Soviet control and West Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) as a capitalist democracy.
- Berlin Wall Built - The Berlin Wall, which became a symbol of the Cold War, was erected in 1961 to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West.
- Germany Reunified - Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Germany was officially reunified in 1990.
- Fall of the Soviet Union - The dissolution of the Soviet Union occurred at the end of 1991, which marked an end to the Cold War and led to the independence of various Soviet republics.
Germany, now unified and a member of the European Union, holds significant economic power within Europe. While there is unity, there is also mindfulness within the EU about the potential dominance of Germany due to historical events like World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.