Texas A&M University (TAMU) HIST106 Practice Exam 1

The fall of the Berlin Wall is widely recognized as a significant event marking the end of the Cold War. Erected in 1961, the wall symbolized the division between East and West Berlin, as well as the broader ideological conflict between communism and democracy that characterized the Cold War era. Its dismantling in November 1989 represented not only the physical collapse of this barrier but also the ideological victory of democratic ideals over authoritarianism in Eastern Europe.

The fall of the Berlin Wall led to a wave of revolutionary changes across Eastern Europe, prompting the collapse of communist regimes in several countries and ultimately leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. This moment is often seen as the definitive end to the Cold War, as it encapsulated the triumph of democratic movements and the decline of Soviet power.

In contrast, the other structures mentioned do not hold the same historical significance in relation to the Cold War. The Eiffel Tower is a national monument in France, the Great Wall of China primarily represents ancient Chinese history and culture rather than modern geopolitical conflict, and the Tower of London is a historic castle with ties to English history, but not to the Cold War.