What factors contributed to the end of the Cold War?

The end of the Cold War was influenced by several key factors, including the economic stagnation and reform movements in the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev, particularly his policies of glasnost and perestroika. The arms race and the burden of military spending strained the Soviet economy, while growing public discontent in Eastern Europe led to a wave of revolutions against communist regimes. Additionally, the diplomatic engagements between superpowers, such as nuclear disarmament treaties and the easing of tensions, played a crucial role in reducing hostilities. Ultimately, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe and marked a definitive turning point in the Cold War.