The Demise of the Socialist System ◆From1989to1992 The /ron Curtain crumbed almost overnight The communist empire disintegrated Newly Emerging Democracies(NEDs)in Central Europe and the Soviet Union began shifting to a market-based economy Communist-dominated governments were removed from political power. East Germany reunified With West Germany. The Soviet Union separated into autonomous states Copyright 2001 by Harcourt, Inc, All rights reserved