20th Century Turning Points

3 turning points in history of Western Europe
20th century was an eventful period, which influenced the development of history and brought huge amount of turning points. In my opinion, the largest number of defining events were concentrated in Western Europe. Among thousands of significant historic moments it is almost impossible to determine top three. But next events deserve special attention because of impact on the lives of many people. To my mind these events are: creation of the International Labour Organization, signing of The German Instrument of Surrender and tearing down of the Berlin Wall.
Geneva, Switzerland
1919
CREATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION
The International Labor Organization was founded in 1919 together with
When the wall came down in 1989, it signified the end of communist rule and birth of the voice of the people.
After the defeat of fascist Germany, the territory of Berlin was divided into zones of occupation: the eastern one - the USSR and the three western ones - the United States, Britain and France. The German Democratic Republic was established in the Soviet Zone, while the Federal Republic was established in the three western zones. On June 24, 1948, Soviet forces began the blockade of West Berlin.
At first the border between the western and eastern parts of Berlin was opened. A dividing line of 44.8 kilometers passed straight through the streets and houses, the river Spree, the canals. In 1957, the West German government led by Konrad Adenauer introduced the Halstein doctrine, which provided for the automatic break of diplomatic relations with any country that recognized the
The economic policy of the GDR, aimed at "catching up and overtaking the Federal Republic of Germany," and the corresponding increase in production standards, economic difficulties, forced collectivization in the years 1957-1960, and higher wages in West Berlin prompted thousands of GDR citizens to leave for the West. In 1949-1961, the GDR and East Berlin left almost 2.7 million people.
Constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany), starting on 13 August 1961, the Wall cut off (by land) West Berlin from virtually all of surrounding East Germany and East Berlin until government officials opened it in November 1989.
The construction of the wall was completed in almost ten days. Communications, metro lines and other vehicles were cut off. The border guards of the GDR received an order authorizing the use of weapons for defeat.
On November 9, 1989, the new GDR government announced an unhindered transition from East Berlin to Western and a free return. About 2 million residents of the GDR visited during November 10-12 in West Berlin. Immediately the spontaneous dismantling of the wall began. The official dismantling was carried out in January 1990, part of the wall was left as a historical