The Berlin wall

LIFE AFTER THE BERLIN WALL"

Live from the Berlin Wall on the most historic night in this Wall's history, it is perhaps the most important announcement made in Central Europe since the end of World War II. Everything seemed really simple on November 9th, 1989. In 1989, communism's iron grip weakened as uprisings took place from Berlin to Beijing, with vastly different results. Everybody thought China would get more liberal as it became richer; no one thought it would go the other way. The People's Liberation Army was gunning down protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square; it was like being in a war zone. But while the forward momentum could not be denied, there were new complications yet to come. The economy was in shambles. In the end, I think that was what created the opportunity for Vladimir Putin. Tiananmen Square is why today China has a real dictatorship. Back in 1989, we envisioned a world free of Cold War tensions; that's not the case today. History has a kind of fluidity that, when we think one thing is going to happen, results often end up anything but what we expect. The world as I had known it all of my adult life changed and changed fundamentally beginning in 1989. In man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over.

Great nations of the world are moving toward democracy. In the latter half of the 20th Century, the United States and the Soviet Union were perpetually engaged in a global showdown. Some thought it would lead to World War III until the late '80s when a new kind of Soviet leader emerged. The course set by President Gorbachev involved changes in political structure, ideology, legal practices, and popular attitudes, as well as the economy. Mikhail Gorbachev will be remembered very well by history. Gorbachev decided they would not keep the empire together through the use of force. For many decades, U.S. presidents believed in the Domino Theory, that if one nation fell to communism, nearby nations would quickly follow suit. But in 1989, the opposite happened; a communist country turned democratic, and other countries fell in its wake.

1989 was the year in which all of this fundamental reform began, and one of the first things that happened was that Poland held an election. In Poland, an independent labor union called Solidarity pressured the country's Communist government into holding a free election. The government ultimately agreed to open the polls but thought it would be just for show. They counted on the fact that they had enough political muscle to make sure that Solidarity would be a minority, not a majority. But the people themselves were so caught up in the possibility that things could really change. Solidarity won that election overwhelmingly. By the end of the summer, Poland had democratically exited communist rule, becoming the first country in Eastern Europe to do so.

Gorbachev didn't stand in the way, and with Poland, the once-impenetrable Iron Curtain suddenly had a big hole in it. To those who think that dreams can be forever repressed, I say let them look at Poland. For here in Poland, the dream is alive.

The same day Poland cast its vote for democracy, another historic event was unfolding in China. For months, Chinese citizens had been protesting communist rule. A visit by Mikhail Gorbachev in May brought worldwide attention to the demonstrations. Gorbachev's visit inspired more people to join the protests, calling for economic reform and political freedom. But even as China's communist leaders were trying to loosen the economy and bring in capitalism, people started to want more - democracy. The Chinese government's response to the protests was brutal, culminating in the tragic events at Tiananmen Square.

This article describes the events leading up to and following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the consequences for the Soviet Union, the experiences in Eastern Europe, and the stark differences in the paths taken by countries like Poland and China. It also touches on the aftermath, including the rise of leaders like Vladimir Putin in Russia and the persistence of Cold War tensions in the world.

In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built to separate East and West Germany, creating a literal division between communism and democracy. However, in the summer of 1989, Austria and Hungary opened their borders, allowing East Germans to cross into democratic West Germany. The Iron Curtain was slowly lifting, and many wondered how much longer until the Berlin Wall would fall.

As the events unfolded, Gorbachev's visit to East Germany in October 1989 was significant. He made it clear that the policy for East Germany was made in Berlin, not Moscow. This signaled to people that the Soviets were not going to call their troops out of the barracks in East Germany. People in East Germany were increasingly calling for free elections, free travel, and a free press, with President Gorbachev symbolizing the change in the Communist world.

In November 1989, the East German Central Committee announced new travel regulations, but a press conference with an unintended mistake would have a significant impact. Günter Schabowski, who was tasked with explaining the new regulations, mistakenly said the word "immediately." This accidental slip of the tongue set in motion the fall of the Berlin Wall. The East German citizens, who had been under lockdown for decades, were suddenly allowed to travel freely to the West.

Once the doors were open, an influx of people crossed into West Berlin. The Berlin Wall, which had stood since 1961, had fallen, and people celebrated their newfound freedom. This moment was an indescribable joy, and many celebrated like they had been let out of jail.

Not everyone, however, was happy with these developments. Vladimir Putin, who was a KGB agent in East Germany at the time, saw the fall of the Berlin Wall as a collapse of Soviet order and wondered what would take its place. In the years that followed, Russia went through a tumultuous period, and Boris Yeltsin became Russia's first democratically elected leader. The country faced severe economic challenges and uncertainty.

But shortly after Putin became Russia's President, he started displaying a leadership style that seemed like it was from a bygone era. He re-established ties with Fidel Castro, aligned himself with Russia's oligarchs, and rekindled tensions with the West, positioning NATO and the United States as enemies.

In the case of China, the political system remained closed, despite the hopes that economic growth would lead to more liberal policies. China's leaders doubled down on control, which is why China is considered a real dictatorship today.

This article reflects on the lessons of 1989 for the world. It underscores the importance of cherishing and protecting democracy, as it can be fragile and easily subverted. The events of 1989 shaped the course of history and continue to influence global politics and power dynamics.

The article highlights the enduring impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent changes in Eastern Europe, the challenges faced by Russia and China, and the complex geopolitical landscape that has evolved since 1989.