Introduction
One of the greatest events in the history is the fall of the Berlin Wall on November the 9th in 1989. Having witnessed the fall of the wall that divided East and West Berlin many people saw their chance and suffered to be freed from an unfavourable oppressive government and enjoying the sweet fruits. In this article we try to go into detail as to how and why those people decided to take the road and leave the darkness behind to find a much brighter future.
A Desperate Dash
When the Berlin Wall came down, it was not the expected way for many residents of East Berlin. The heavily policed border had been an emblem of division, geographical and political, for nearly three decades. When the news that the Suez canal had opened started to filter everybody stuck in the East had a decision to make. For or against?
Escaping Political Oppression
For some, the decision of running to the other side was as a result of their strongly held passion of with political persecution. In the East, people were just a cog in a wheel, they had no freedom of speech or freedom to do anything they wanted. The collapse of the Berlin Wall gave people a chance to escape an oppressive rule of a totalitarian state.
Seeking Economic Prosperity
Some acted due to desire of the economic liberty obtained by subjected civilization in western world. In the East Germany there was immense problem such as an economy which was at standstill, high unemployment rate and lack of access to products that are used in daily life. This is because East Berliners were willing to risk their lives crossing the barrier in order to gain better paid jobs, better opportunities and quality lifestyle.
The Journey to Freedom
It wasn’t easy to run to the other side of the Berlin Wall. It was very hard for those who wanted to flee due to intense security along the border. Still, inasmuch as the creators of the subculture are marked by their social marginality, the acts of courage, sterling spirit and resourcefulness demonstrated by such persons only depict the inherent human spirit.
The Underground Escape
A few people even managed to find their own ways over the barrier some of it involved painting it over. The wall was called ‘ death ‘ since the people started digging tunnels beneath it and others begun with dangerous stints searching for what they consider as life. Contrary, these tunnels, dangerous, deadly sometimes, were a light in the tunnel of political persecution.
The Leap of Faith
Some opted for rather risky actions while going for the crossing at daylight and tried to cross the border guarded so strictly. There were men and women risking everything from scaled walls to jumping off dangerous heights with the help of makeshift ropes, indeed, they had no fear.
A New Beginning
Of the many persons that crossed this infamous bridge, their lives and of those dear to them would never be the same again. They had new problems; but they also had new liberties, new possibilities which had once been ideals.
Integration and Reunion
Although integration of Easterners into Western society was a dynamic phenomenon. Some of the challenges individual experienced while in the host country include, language, communication, culture shock, and adjustment to a new life style. However, the spirit of such people laid a cornerstone for the reunification of Germany and healing the cut nation.
A Legacy of Resilience
The moment that commemorates the destruction of the German wall also raises hope and brings to the fore the wants of people for democracy. Thus the stories of the people who ran to the other side and those who did not, those who surrendered and those who fought to the bitter end offer powerful testament to the eternal things they sought: life, hope and freedom. The show makes us appreciate and fight for the democratic rights we have today.
Conclusion
Many stories of people striving and fighting for freedom emerged after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The people who fled to the other side inflicted blows against the odds of hope and returned as heroes. It is for this reason that the tales touch a raw nerve as many people will identify with the characters at one point in time in their lives when all odds seem to be against him or her. Of course the fall of the Berlin Wall was not singular occurrence; it was an event that heralded the stories of liberty and reclamation.
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