This is an article that brings the reader a huge event that had a majestic impact on people’s lives – the demolition of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. Having been built long ago 28 years ago, it was the symbol of the East and the West Germany during Cold War. Its sudden demolition was as much physical of Berlin as it had profound political, social and economical impacts. Thus, what was the reaction of the globe to this great event? Now let me dissect various reactions from across the globe.
The Reactions in Europe
The European nations also depicted over whelming support and joyous on the collapse of the Berlin Wall. It marked the launch of post Cold war era and also the reunification of Germany. This paved way for the removal of other barriers physically and symbolically throughout Europe.
Eastern Europe
Most of the people in the Eastern European countries like Poland, Hungary, Checoslovia and Romania interpret the collapse of the Berlin Wall as encouragement for their own movement towards democracy and freedom. In these countries, large scale demonstrations ensued and later on, the development of communism states failed.
Western Europe
The people and governments of western EU countries had very positive reaction to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Some of them saw it as triumph of the democracy and the progress towards the union of Europe. European leaders got to support German re-unification and provided cooperation in the process of integration.
The United States and Western Allies
The United States and her western allies relished the demolition of the Berlin Wall as a victory over communism. It represented the break up of Soviet domination in Eastern Europe and the post coup era known as the Cold War.
The United States
The United States of America under President Ronald Reagan had been very much supportive of the demolition of the said Berlin Wall. Reagan made one of the most memorable public speeches in 1987 when he said, ‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’ The fall of the wall, therefore, was a significant of victory for Reagan’s policy and his ear%m aggressive anti-communist posture.
Other Western Allies
Other countries such as United Kingdom, French and Canada were also delighted with the recent unification of Germany and the split of the Cold War. Some saw it as a glorious victory of Western liberal democracy against the rest of the world hence the importance of the occasion.
Global Impact
Consequences of the fall of the Berlin Wall can be seen not only in Europe. It gave hope and people all over the world, who were oppressed, who were struggling for their rights, struggling for freedom. It was an amalgamation of the struggle for freedom within humanity.
Africa
Across Africa, many activists fighting apartheid gave credit to the Berlin Wall’s collapse as a reason. It provided hope to them and made them have even stronger desire to stand up against racism and tyrannical forms of administration.
Asia
Like in the case of China not everybody was surprised by the collapse of the Berlin Wall. For pro-democracy activists it was sign of hope but Chinese government reacted to it with increasing censorship, repression of dissidents.
Americas
In North and South America exactly the same as in Europe people saw the fall of the Berlin Wall as liberation and freedom coming. People in Latin America carrying out struggles against military regime utilizing popular power, they invoked for democracy and human rights.
Economic Repercussions
The breaking of the wall also led to a lot of economic impacts. East Germany experienced transition economy that includes changes from a planned economy to a market economy especially after the fall of the Berlin Wall; characterized by job losses and economic difference. But the fact is that the reunification of Germany has paved to economic growth and integration in the country.
Conclusion
The event of the breakdown of the Berlin Wall activated positive emotions and meant an expulsion of oppression from the world. People around the world reacted positively with fireworks and cheering to silent satisfaction and watchful waiting. It had aHave a major social, political and economical effect on societies and the world and become the historical and social cornerstone for many democratic and human right movements.
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