by Nick Muccio

Created on: March 29, 2010

       The fall of the Berlin Wall was a major event of world history. The fall had great influence on the Soviet Union and Germany. The event is tied back to United States President George W. H Bush. This past November was the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Recently President Bush held a celebration at the George Bush Library and Museum on the campus of Texas A&M University.

       “The fall of the Berlin Wall, one of the signature events of his administration.” There was a main celebration in Berlin, where Bush wondered if close friend and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl attended. Bush was straight forward when speaking about the fall of the wall stating “the fall of the wall was "set in motion" not by leaders in Washington, Moscow, or Bonn but by "the people themselves.” President Bush’s goal was to unify Germany and end the Soviet Empire as peacefully as he could.

       President Bush took a different standpoint than the leaders of today. Bush was very subtle and patient in conquering his goals. He thought out his action thoroughly before perusing them. According to Condoleezza Rice stated “the great diplomats and leaders of recent decades—including Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan, and former Secretaries of State Dean Acheson and George Marshall—succeeded because of their persistence and patience.” In today’s society everyone seeks a quick answer. Virtues and morals have changed over the years but did they change for the better?

       Rice continues to state that bush did an extraordinary thing by obtaining trust from both the Soviet leaders and the West German Chancellor. He strived to bring them together without war and miscommunication and eventually helped end the U.S.S.R. What makes President Bush stand out from today’s leaders is that when East Germany opened its borders to West Germany he felt he had no need to hold a major celebration of what he had achieved. Instead the President was to hold his ground and continue doing what needed to be done for his country.

       Today’s leaders are of a different breed. There is little patience and always an urge for an answer. When War is declared we look for a quick defeat. Today decisions are quick as if tomorrow was not to come. We live on a short fuse and need things done right away. However our preceding leaders have achieved so must more for our countries than our recent leaders with patience and persistence.

       The thought of how the world today operates verse how it did in the past is like comparing apples to oranges. We have adapted to new cultures and have learned from the previous men and women of our nation, but we lack those two very important virtues that may end up taking the best of us. Instead of quick answer, our leaders need to organize and than pursue right than pursue on short notice and be disoriented while trying. With deep thought and planning our country could be strong and more beneficial.

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