Explore Our Affordable Courses

Click Here
Home  »   UPSC Blogs  »   World Freedom Day – Hist...

World Freedom Day – History, Significance, Unity and Democracy

PWOnlyIAS November 08, 2023 04:53 2013 0

Blogs UPSC Blogs

Context: November 9 is celebrated across the world as World Freedom Day.

World Freedom Day – History, Significance, Unity and Democracy

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.

World Freedom Day

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.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailDOWNLOAD PDF

World Freedom Day FAQs

November 9 is celebrated across the world as World Freedom Day.

World Freedom Day marks the day in history when the Berlin Wall was abolished, leading to the unification of Germany.

The Berlin Wall was a permanent structure that divided West Germany and East Germany during the Cold War era.

Under public pressure, the gate between West and East Germany 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.

Known officially as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), it was a union of 14 Soviet socialist republics and one Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. The state came into existence after the Russian Revolution and existed until 1991.

Recommended For You

September 9, 2024
UPSC Admit Card 2024 Date & Steps to Download for Mains
September 9, 2024
Important Topics for Geography for UPSC Mains 2024
September 9, 2024
UPSC Mains Question Paper 2024 PDFs Will Be Available Soon
September 9, 2024
Important Topics for Polity for UPSC Mains 2024 & Prepa...
September 9, 2024
Important Topics for Governance for UPSC Mains 2024 & P...
September 9, 2024
UPSC Optional Subjects List For Mains Exam & Syllabus
/*

Latest Comments

*/

Live Blog

Recent posts

September 9, 2024
UPSC Admit Card 2024 Date & Steps to Dow...
September 9, 2024
Important Topics for Geography for UPSC Mains...
September 9, 2024
UPSC Mains Question Paper 2024 PDFs Will Be A...
September 9, 2024
Important Topics for Polity for UPSC Mains 20...
September 9, 2024
Important Topics for Governance for UPSC Main...

Archive Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  

by month

Follow Us

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

# #
      
Subscribe our Newsletter
Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
*Promise! We won't spam you.
Yes! I want to Subscribe.

Contact Details

G-Floor,4-B Pusa Road, New Delhi, 110060

Download Our App

# #
Copyright © 2023 PWOnlyIAS
Privacy Policy Refund And Cancellation Policy FAQ Terms & ConditionSitemap

 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

# #
      
Follow Us:
Subscribe our Newsletter
Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
*Promise! We won't spam you.
Yes! I want to Subscribe.

Contact Details

G-Floor,4-B Pusa Road, New Delhi, 110060

Download Our App

# #
Copyright © 2023 PWOnlyIAS
Privacy Policy Refund And Cancellation Policy FAQ Terms & ConditionSitemap

 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">







    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.