The Berlin Wall A World Divided 1961-1989 - Essay Example

The Berlin Wall: A World Divided 1961-1989 al Affiliation) I. Activities in the cold war era are accurately and precisely condensed and characterized by events preceding and proceeding the construction of The Berlin Wall, and none illuminates this better than Fredrick Taylor in his narrative, The Berlin Wall 1961-1989. The first half of the 20th century was largely characterized by a marred viscous cycle of recurring warfare (World War I and World War II), which resulted in severe economic, political and population causalities. This was a result of leaders of the more political and economic elite states deciding to take up arms instead of engaging minds to solve disputes, which greatly resulted in economic, political and population casualties. Post World War II period presented a critical moment in history where the emergence of The Soviet Union as a world super power coincided with the adoption of conflicting economic models of communism by the latter and capitalism by the former allied forces. The differences in economic and political ideologies could have easily led to the eruption of another world war but as history dictates it the war didn’t materialize in the relatively volatile environment. Distinctively, minds engaged instead of arms for the greater good of the world. This period provides a unique period on a historical lens where the greater public demanded an ear and vouch for their future. Complimenting this claim is the largely acclaimed book The Berlin Wall: A World Divided 1961-1989 by Fredrick Taylor. The narrative provides a bi-partisan and detailed description of the heights cold war era mainly drawn from secondary sources such as historical documents and primary sources such as victims of the Berlin Wall themselves. The book also offers a kaleidoscopic perspective on the pre and post Berlin Wall construction; from the ordinary citizen to political elite, an economic, cultural and political perspective. The book offers a comprehensive background of events leading to the construction of the Berlin Wall, an intricate description of the present and glimpse of what the future holds in store. II. Throughout the narrative a number themes are strongly expressed in regards to the period of time which are consistent. A strong sense and theme of conflict is portrayed during the times. Conflicts in ideology where the East is largely welcoming to a communist economic model where on the other hand the West are in favor of a capitalist economic model. There are also conflicting living standards across each side of the wall where the living standards on the West were comparatively economic favorable than those in the East. The strong theme of conflict is also largely emphasized on the political set up across each divide; the West can be perceived to adopt a more democratic government where the larger public have their say in state issues, this is opposed to dictatorial government perceived to be in place in the East where razor wires are erected without the public’s consent. According to Taylor, traces of war can be found in the period of time where army tanks are roaming the streets of Berlin. The theme of war can be further exemplified by meetings of top military officials of both sides of the divide drawing war blueprints as if ready to engage in war. The theme of war is also explained by the mention of the conflicting parties’ military prowess mainly in nuclear war. The theme of war is further emphasized by the said activities of the French government in Algeria (Taylor, 2006). The aspect of leadership is also brought under the knife in the historical theatre where different world leaders adopt different styles of leadership which are hugely consequential. We see leaders such as Nikita Khrushchev who adopts an isolated and personified approach to leadership where decisions are made without the consent of the state’s citizens. We are also introduced to aspects of puppet leadership where more powerful leaders or individuals often pull the strings of lesser regions as emphasized by the relationship between Nikita Khrushchev and Walter Ulbricht when he largely waited upon the formers consent to erect the Berlin. However the aspect of sound leadership is also echoed by leaders such as Ronald Regan, leadership which champions the interests of the minority while upholding the interests of the majority, this is clearly observed by his actions to pressure the East to uphold the decision of greater people of East Germany. Hypocrisy in leadership is also emphasized by actions of existing Western leaders to turn a deaf ear to the construction of the Berlin wall citing fear of potential instability to justify their non-action. According to Taylor, unity and perseverance comes up as a repetitive virtue during trying times that were the Berlin Wall era .This is emphasized by the people of East Germany putting up a united front in countering political and economic oppression exerted upon by Walter Ulbricht and lager Soviet Union government. This culminated in the physical breaking down of the Berlin Wall. The fiber of unity that sews up the German society is revealed by the persistence of both sides of the divide constant urge to visit each other and view themselves as friends and family as viewed in the periods preceding the construction of the Berlin Wall. Unity and persistence are also enshrined by worldwide pressure the global community exerted unto the Soviet Union in letting the people of East Germany express their political sense (Taylor, 2006). III. In the cold war Germany context the reasonable and non-partisan voice of mind would feel betrayed the type of Russian roulette leadership provided by the world leaders, a win at all cost approach without having a holistic view of the immediate situations. Psychological torture is experienced due lack of assurance of immediate future; psychological scars as a result of previous wars lingers in the minds of the ordinary. The prospect of war destabilizes the economy thus the majority feels the economic pinch resulting in poor standards of living. Political oppression trigger humanitarian crisis as a result of abuse of fundamental human right manifested in physical torture by the agents of the oppressive government. However under these chronic and acute conditions basic aspects of humanity are to be maintained and individual action projected toward long-term and sustainable solutions fostered by positive principles and virtues. IV. According to Taylor, the Berlin cold war era seems to be recurring phenomenon long after penultimate occurrence only that the Berlin Wall is disguised in religious barriers, economic barriers, cultural barriers and political barriers on both individual and societal levels. Just as the real Berlin Wall crumbled as a result of amplifying the unequivocal and the voice of most reason, synonymously the perceived barriers will crumble (Taylor, 2006). V. The cold war Berlin period sheds light at a time where opposing world ideologies enticed and exerted themselves to the Berlin public thus creating a state division, the people took it upon themselves to make their say final without any due influence and coercion so as to give rise to a sustainable echoing relatively suitable title for the book ‘Dismembering of The Iron curtains. ` Reference List Taylor, F. (2006). The Berlin Wall: A World Divided, 1961-1989 (p. 486). Bloomsbury Publishing. Read More