During the Cold War, the Berlin Wall became the most symbolizing structure of division. Having been constructed in 1961, it divided East and West Berlin – communism and capitalism respectively. The cataclysm that befell it in 1989 heralded a new epoch in world history which called for deep reactions. That is why in this post, we will be looking at ways in which the world responded to the Berlin Wall’s demolition.
1. Global Celebration
When people all over the world hear about the process of the autumn of the Berlin wall, they were very happy and joyful. The importance of this event was emphasized in regard to the human right’s improvement and a move towards the unification of the world. Happy fans swarmed the streets of Berlin, and major cities in Europe and celebrations broke out in the street. The tearing down of the Berlin Wall marked the defeat of communism and brought in a positive change in terms of, world peace and unity.
2. Political Reactions
2.1 World Leaders
Leaders of the world welcomed the fall of Berlin Wall German reunification was hailed by US President George H.W. Bush, Britain’s Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and French President François Mitterand inter alia. It was seen as an important diplomatic event and all the leaders said they are in favour of the reunification.
2.2 Cold War Rethinking
The breakdown of the Berlin Wall led to a change of Cold War approaches. In the West they started to rethink their stance on communism and the Soviet Union. It made future-orientation turn to the sharp decrease of communism as the global problem, and return to the further discussion of the question of arms control and disarmament. The fall of wall opened up new diplomacy and could be deemed as change towards the environment of cooperation in international relations.
3. Economic Implications
After deconstruction of the Berlin Wall as well as reunification of both the East and West Germany the world economy experienced a shift.
3.1 Economic Integration
Reunification made economic ties easier where Germany displayed strong support to other countries making investment opportunity easier. Not only Germany but also the neighboring countries remarked certain tracing bene tting from such integration. The trade liberalization led to partnerships in the economies thus market access was expanded.
3.2 Shift in Power Dynamics
After the Cold War and reunification of German power relations have changed. On the reunification of Germany, it entered the arena of the European and world politics. This shift affected international relations and the placing of force between countries.
4. Cultural Exchange
The breakage of the Berlin wall led to a simplification of cultural relations between the East and the west.
4.1 Freedom of Movement
Before the collapse of the wall, people from East Germany barely had any contact with people from the western world. After November 9, 1989, millions of Easterners received the opportunity to travel and taste the Western life. This led to a hectic exchange of ideas, art, music and about life styles.
4.Reunited Families and Communities 2
The fall of the wall also brought families and friends who had been separated for decades together and can rebuild necessary relationships. Once again, people got linked with the other, and it was a good feeling to get linked with the other after such a long time. It should be also noted that social and emotional aspect of such reunions cannot be judged insufficiently.
5. Lessons Learned
Let us take stock what the world learnt from the fall of the Berlin Wall.
5.1 Power of Unity
He stated that the supposed fall of the Berlin Wall marked the triumph of combined forces of people. That the walls and barriers which divided the communities can be torn down by means of collective actions for the sake of a common cause.
5.2 Change Is Possible
He showed how even the tallest and most solid structure commonly associated with barriers can be reduced to dust. It filled the desire to change, where other times it just gave up feeling that change cannot be made even with all available opportunities.
5.3 Long-Term Diplomacy
The events like the fall of Berlin Wall only show that long term diplomatic and negotiations should be observed to solve conflict. It also pointed out that dialogue as a way of finding a common understanding produces better and constructive international relations.
Conclusion
The bringing down of the Berlin Wall was one of those events that changed the world. It marked the end of the Cold War, changes of diplomacy and aroused economic and cultural interchange. Thus the event demonstrated the theme of unity for a cause, change and diplomacy. Some of the barriers have faded and been disguised, for example, the barriers of wall partitions in the form of the former Berlin Wall.
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