November 9, 1989, was one of the most important days of the 20 th century, a theatrical performance of a culmination of the cold war and the fall of the communist states in Eastern Europe, the fall of a suddenly so brave and arrogant Berlin wall. The question that begs the answer due to this monumental event is of course; who was the president of the United States during this critical moment of the history? Presidency in the given period is what should be taken into consideration in order to have a complete picture of what the fall of the Wall entailed and what its consequences were. The role of the American president shall be discussed in this detailed treatment, focusing more on the bigger geopolitical scenario and the long term repercussions of this point of historic turning point.
President George H.W. Bush- Witness to History
George H.W. Bush served as the American president when the wall of Berlin fell. Ronald Reagan had done so much to escalate the tensions which subsequently led to the death of the Wall and he was followed by him in January 1989. Foreign policy landscape Bush was inheriting was very complex, and included realistic allies adjustments in geopolitical power equations, and war on communism. The United States had to live in this uncertain world with his government at the helms of affairs of this moment of great change in history.</p Maryland
A laid-back, yet stressful strategy characterized the policy of the Bush. Bush had faith in diplomacy and alliances of strategy versus Reagan who had adopted the confrontation strategy in dealing with the Soviets. Towards the establishment of the conditions under which the peaceful change in Eastern Europe became possible, the less dramatic, but effective approach was utilized. He worked closely with the other countries which were allies and through international cooperation, he dealt with the dynamic nature of the situation and the transition was stable.</p
The Bush Strategy of Foreign Policy and the collapse of the wall.
The policy Bush exercised in foreign affairs attempted to take advantage of the internal weaknesses of Soviet Union and shoved the reforms without a direct provocative visitation. He understood that it is necessary to find a thin balance between stimulating democratic tendencies in the whole Eastern Europe and not having a blistering situation with the Soviet leadership. This was a low-keyed strategy that allowed the United States to exert an influence without causing the escalation and instability in its full scope.
The processes leading to the breaking of the Wall were complex and involved the internal issues in East Germany, contribution of the neighbouring States, and the decline of the Soviet control. The Bush administration however was instrumental in providing diplomatic advice and support to those who were trying to be independent and enjoy self determination. This did so much in building the spirit of change and hope which culminated to the breaking down of the wall in Berlin symbolically.
The Bigger Geopolitical Scene
The tale of the collapse of the Berlin wall does not happen out of the blue because it was a culmination of the decades of escalation of the Cold War tensions, the inner pressures of the communist regime, and the change in the geopolitical relations. The stagnation of the Soviet block economy along with the ever-growing desire of freedom and independence of Eastern Europe was a potent brew that could not be resisted. The Soviet Union had been undermined by internal pressures and economic issues hence it was no longer effective in maintaining its iron fist on the satellite states.
What was developing was a huge factor as far as the policies of the then Soviet head, Mikhail Gorbachev were concerned. His policy of *glasnost* (openness) and *perestroika* (restructuring) ended up weakening unintentionally Soviet Unionhold on its Eastern European allies and provided the chance of reform and, ultimately revolution. The implications of Gorbachev failing to intervene in the events that took place in 1989 by employment of military force is habitually described as a paradigm shift.
The Media and Public Opinion role
The role of the participation of the public opinion and coverage of the media can hardly be underestimated. Information, both within and without the Eastern Bloc played a key role in mobilization of the citizens and the loss of credibility of the communist regimes. The information exchange and the ability of people to organize movements across the borders made the events in 1989 come as a great contribution. This highlights the shifting role of information and communication technology in the determination of events the world over.
The world media and its reports of the situation in Eastern Europe further voiced the dissidents and derailed the legitimacy of the communistic governments all the more. The pictures of collapsing Berlin wall and ecstatic mood that was in its wake became a potent symbol of freedom and hope and an incitation of the similar developments in other parts of the world. This brings out the powerful influence of the media in the beliefs of people about their profiles as well as the speed of historical change.
A heritage of 1989 and the dealings of President Bush
The repercussion of the toppling of the Berlin wall was a wake call in the history of mankind that resulted in a moment of change that mankind never faced before. It concluded the cold war and demise of Soviet Union and the birth of democracy in most of Eastern Europe. The George H Bush administration had a huge role to play, though it is often overshadowed, both in the change of government process and the peaceful result that we experienced.
This is the time of a leader Bush that was marked with reluctance but good performance. The partnership of alliance and his diplomacy took the center stage and he got to steer the challenging geopolitical environment towards the tricky transition and made it stable. His ability to halt the unjustifiable escalation and at the same time render the required nourishment to the rising democracies was quite beneficial in</p Statecraft in the world stage.
In a nutshell, Who was the president when the Berlin wall fell? leads us to a more precise understanding not just of the presidency of George H.W. Bush, but also how the world powers worked conspicuously to shape this maritime historical event. It is a witness to the power of leadership, and to the power of the human will to liberty and self- determination.</p eyesSQL notably, there might be a wide range of views regarding the human will to liberty and self- determination on the part of the various individuals and governments which are present in the world.
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