The Importance Of The Berlin Wall

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After World War II, Germany was divided between the four most triumphant allies. The United States, France, and Britain shared West Germany. On the other hand, East Germany was occupied by the communist Soviet Union. In the center of the Soviet side, these four countries split the city of Berlin as well. The French, British, and Americans contained the west zone of Berlin, while the Soviets contained the east of Berlin, in the same manner that they had split the entire country. As soon as the land was divided, thousands of civilians quickly migrated from East Berlin to West Berlin, causing the communists to fear a collapse of their economy. Due to East Germany’s rapidly decreasing population, communist leader, Walter Ulbricht found a …show more content…

This wall became a primary representative of the Cold War. In the course of the existence of the Berlin Wall, the United States’ President, John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin on June 26, 1963. On that day, President Kennedy gave a powerful speech, which accentuated the United States’ support for West Germany. President John F. Kennedy began his speech by making known his sympathy towards the German audience’s distinguished chancellor. He gave credit to (chancellor) for committing Germany to democracy for so many years. Kennedy also brings up American General, Lucius D. Clay, a general who has been in the city of Berlin since the end of World War II. He talks about General Clay in order to demonstrate America’s adherence to continue helping Germany through extreme crisis. Later, Kennedy utilized the repetition of the words “Let them come to Berlin” to recognize the people who are ignorant to the experience of communism; to invite those people to Berlin to see, with their own eyes, the brutality and the effects of a communist government. He notifies the horrifying …show more content…

Kennedy’s speech was mainly to set the tone of what the future should be. He wanted to indicate the benefits of a democracy and lessen communism by recognizing the negativity and inhumanity Berlin has suffered. Kennedy demonstrated America’s support towards Berliners and gave them hope that one day the Berlin Wall will fall bringing freedom with its destruction. This speech also created a better relationship with the allies. It united the allies’ beliefs of democracy and freedom. Americans pressured the communist public and its allies by actively supporting West Germany and actively being against communism. The speech sets the principle that freedom; democracy should be a model for the world not just for Berlin. This speech played a major role in the destruction of the wall on November 9, 1989 and encouraged the pursuit of

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