Which event in the late 1980s raised global hopes for ending ethnic oppression?

The collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 is a pivotal moment in world history that raised global hopes for the end of various forms of oppression, including ethnic oppression. This event symbolized the decline of authoritarian regimes in Eastern Europe and signified a broader movement towards democratization and human rights. As the wall fell, so did oppressive systems, fostering a wave of optimism regarding the potential for change in regions where ethnic tensions and tyranny prevailed.

The Berlin Wall's downfall also had considerable implications for South Africa. It highlighted the possibility of dismantling oppressive structures, inspiring activists and ordinary citizens worldwide to envision a future free from apartheid and other forms of discrimination. The event served as a powerful reminder that significant political transformations were indeed possible, motivating global support for anti-apartheid movements in South Africa.

In contrast, the Freedom Charter and the Soweto Uprising, though crucial in the contexts of their time, dealt primarily with local rather than global hopes for change. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established later, focused on healing and rebuilding South Africa after apartheid but did not directly relate to the events of the late 1980s that stirred international aspirations for an end to ethnic oppression. Thus, the collapse of the Berlin Wall stands out as an emblematic