Historical Background of the World Freedom Day

• Origin: World Freedom Day marks the day in history when the Berlin Wall was abolished, leading to the unification of Germany.
  • The US President George W. Bush designated this day in 2001 to celebrate the reunification of loved ones segregated by the Iron Curtain and varying dogmas. 
• Symbolism: Earlier, the day commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall post-World War II but now it is about the symbolism of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  • World Freedom Day marks the end of communism throughout Eastern and Central Europe.
  • It also led to the coming together of families and communities who were divided between the Western Capitalist world and eastern Communist world.

Berlin Wall – Its Construction, Objective Fall, and the German reunification

• Background: After the end of World War II, Germany was divided into two parts, based on the area occupied by Allied forces.
  • The western part of the territory was occupied by the Americans, French, and British and hence called West Germany. The Soviet army occupied the eastern part and thus became East Germany.
• The Construction: In 1949, East Germany became a separate country and named the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The government began constructing the wall in 1961.
  • The 91-mile wall included deathly minefields, watchtowers, iron nail fields, electric fences, and other features installed to prevent people from passing through it.
• Objective: The objective behind the construction of the Berlin Wall was to prevent citizens of East Germany from fleeing to West Germany.
  • This was because West Germany’s economic conditions thrived due to capitalist policies. The opposite happened in communist East Germany due to harsh communist rule.
  • In order to escape the communist rule, many Germans started escaping to West Germany. East Germany lost much of its population, which included a majority of its labor force. 
• Symbolism: The Berlin Wall physically symbolized the Iron Curtain that separated the Western Bloc and Soviet satellite states of the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War era.
• Fall of the Wall: As a result of a series of uprisings in the Communist States in the Eastern bloc, the rulers in the East came under pressure to cease their repressive policies.
  • Under pressure from citizens, the East German government announced on 9 November 1989 that all GDR citizens could visit West Berlin.
  • As a large number of people began gathering near the wall, the gate was opened on 22 December 1989. People started destroying the wall.
  • The official demolition of the Berlin Wall began on 13 June 1990 and was completed in 1994. The fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for German reunification, which took place in 1990.

What is the significance of Word Freedom Day?

• Importance of Freedom:  World Freedom Day reminds people of the importance of freedom and liberty in their lives.
• German Unification:  World Freedom Day also commemorates the beginning of events that ultimately led to the unification of Germany.
• Upholding Democratic Values: The fall of the Berlin Wall is a reminder of the importance of democratic values in society. World Freedom Day reminds people of the importance of democracy. 
• End of Cold War: The fall of the Berlin Wall was closely followed by the fall of the Soviet Union. This signaled the end of the Cold War era.

Fall of the Soviet Union

• Chornobyl Disaster: The downward journey of the Soviet Union began in 1986 when a nuclear reactor at the Chornobyl power station in Ukraine exploded.
  • By then, it was already facing acute economic problems and major food shortages.
• Gorbachev’s Reforms: Mikhail Gorbachev, who came to power in 1985, introduced a reform policy of “glasnost” (openness) and “perestroika” (restructuring). This started a series of events that culminated in the end of the Soviets.
• Rise in Revolutions: Revolutions started cropping up in communist blocs such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary etc. All these events led to communists losing power.
• Independence of States: Soviet Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania voted out their communist governments and made moves towards independence. 
  • By 1990, constituent republics of the Soviet Union declared independence. By the end of the year, the Soviet Union was dissolved.

Conclusion:

In many parts of the world, freedom, instead of being fundamental, is still a privilege. World Freedom Day is a reminder for people around the world how important liberty and freedom is.