For more than 40 years, the Cold War had divided much of the world into two opposing camps. In Europe, the division was along the “iron curtain” boundary separating the communist East, under Soviet influence, from the capitalistic West, under American influence. Even Germany and its old capital of Berlin were divided along these lines. In 1985, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev began policies called perestroika (economic restructuring) and glasnost (openness) to revitalize the Soviet Union’s sagging economy and to achieve better relations—especially trade—with the West. These policies triggered dissent and then growing demands for more rapid reforms both within the Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe. When Gorbachev agreed not to intervene in the affairs of East-bloc countries in 1989, popular uprisings ended Communist party rule and new governments were formed. As we near the 20th anniversary of these momentous events, you may find it enlightening to look at the BBC’s excellent coverage of the 20th anniversary of the monumental year that was 1989 by clicking here (including first-hand accounts you can read by clicking here). George Mason University also has an entire website that is dedicated to the year 1989 that you will enjoy (you can access it by clicking here) Perhaps the most sensational incident of this collapse came in November 1989, when the Berlin Wall—the symbol of the Cold War since its erection in 1961—was removed and the borders between the two Germanys opened. I would like you to read a New York Times editorial, which places the removal of the Berlin Wall in a historical perspective (you can read it by clicking here).After reading the editorial, I would like you to consider and discuss the following: The New York Times editorial argues that the destruction of the Berlin ended 75 years of European catastrophes. Is this true? What else did destruction of the Berlin Wall signify? How did the United States react to the creation of “a European house?” What is the significance of this event? Your thoughts…
16 comments:
mostly the destruction of the berlin wall symbolized freedom. the wall was built in order to keep germans from getting to west berlin, which would have allowed them to just leave the country. in a way east germany was almost like a prison. while europe may not be completely at peace, because who knows if complete peace is really possible, it was the closest it had been in awhile. the destruction of the berlin wall was almost like an end of an era, which the era was what happened to germany after world war two and the era was also the soviet union controlling eastern europe. if east germany could gain independance from the soviet union, the others would follow. it wasn't entirely the start of peace, but at least of self-determination.
Wow! Ppl were even driving down to the wall to help tear it apart? Sweet!
Remember remember the ninth of November. This is just like that movie.
Even after this "ultimate symbol of oppression" was gone the ppl were still scared, even in Bulgaria where the communist party stepped down to allow elections!
The article tries to compare the destruction of the wall to the ending of all wars. The symbol of opression (the "living" symbol of Hitler and Stalin)was now gone. That doesn't have much to do with WW1 in my opinion. They also compare the destruction of the wall to the end os Soviet-U.S. conflict, so many Americans were probably hoping this was the end too.
To me the fall of the Berlin wall symbolizes a transformation of Europe as a whole. Throughout world history Europe has seemed to be the ones who make all the mistakes and screw up the rest of the world. They have always been the oppressors. For the first time it seems as though Europe has finally gotten something right. They decided to give ethnic groups self- determination and allowed the people to make democratic decisions on how they want their government and economy to be run.
I think this has everything to do with WWI. The Bolshevik revolution was built upon the promise of removing Russia from WWI. No WWI, no USSR. The treaty of Versailles failed to create peace, but "a truce" as the article states. This led to the creation of National Socialism in Germany, which led to WWII. All the while, Stalin's 5 year plan as well as the Great Purge were going on. With the Treaty of Nonaggression Stalin made invasion welcoming. With the battle of Stalingrad the USSR went down the path of defeating Germany and becoming a superpower when the US and USSR converged at Berlin. This leads to the seperation of Germany into different zones, and eventually to the creation of West Germany and the Berlin Wall.
I just watched some videos on youtube and they are truly amazing. The power and justice it sent to the world was like no other.
Prill, can i come in after school tommorow to go over my CCOT paper. Sorry, i keep forgetting.
The Berlin Wall itself was the symbol of the Cold War and oppression. The destruction on the Berlin Wall signified freedom for the West and East Germans of that time period. As soon as that wall was opened and people started to destroy the wall, people were in unity. They knew they were all German brothers and sisters who were just on the other side of the wall for a long period of time. To them, it really meant freedom and unity.
i dont think it ended the catastrophy really, because it says it was more or so an armistice act, and that is laying down arms. not peace. but i do think that it will be aan extremely long time before something catastrophic occurs again. just a feeling.n the berlin wall acted as a prison, because the communist party was embarassed by the number of citizens leaving, so they boxed them in and told them they werent allowed to leave or even think about leaveing, so when it was torn down, it was like that scene in the Hunchback of Notre Dame, where that old man is let out of the fetters and he's running around going "IM FRE IM FREE IM FREE" just minus the falling in a hole part...
i most defiantly think that the destrution of the berlin wall had much to do with the peace now in europe between the countries. i also think that the falling of the berlin wall was a moment unlike anyother. it signified the unification of europe not just countries being brought to idependence but europe as a whole. in other documents posted people from not only germany but poland and romania were commentin on the impact of the berlin wall and how much it meant to them. one woman even said that even though her grandmother passed away before the wall came down, she knew that she would be smiling. if im not mistaken she was from poland. this was the big sign to everyone that the cold war was over and that peace could happen in europe.
Soo, according to this document, the Berlin Wall signifies the division of the country/ continent and also the on- going rivalry of the United States and the Soviet Union. I can't wait to watch all that tomorrow! =D
Sapp.
This literaly was the best lecture in all the year, it wasnt explosive, and violent, but an eye opener. How thiings really are on the inside. I guess no one wanted communism.
I think its really cool how the people tear down the wall by themselves. It was more than just tearing the wall down. It was a symbol of the ending of all wars.
The destruction of the Berlin Wall symbolizes freedom and also reuniting the "two Germanys" into a unified one. Even though this was not an end to Soviet and American problems it ended the ongoing struggles that Germany had faced since the beginning of WWI. This is letting each side of Germany to come together and form the Germany of their choice, leaving oppressive rule.
finally a united Germany!!! I absolutely agree that this is amazing for the advancment of the entire world!!! I cant believe that this even started to begin with. but hopefully nothing like that will happen again.
sadly it's happening right now between Israel and the West Bank, as you will learn in just a few weeks.
The tearing down of the Berlin Wall was an end to 75 years worth of European catastrophes. It started with the outbreak of WW 1 and continually got worse amd worse. The absence of the Berlin Wall also symbolized a new start for Germany and gave Eastern European countries hope of running their own nation. I would think that the United States would be ecstatic because this appeared to be the end of communism in Eastern Europe.
tearing down the berlin wall symbolizes the end of this scary century. From WWII to the cold war, it all dragged on until this. Tearing down the wall symbolizes the world being at ease and not being uptight about whether or not the planet would exist the next day
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