That important press conference is not taught along with “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” at least in the United States. Look up the Wikipedia article on Günter Schabowski. In the words of Arte Johnson “Very Interesting”.
I served with a soldier in Moscow. He was one of only two men that I know of to be stationed in Berlin when the Wall fell and Moscow when the tanks rolled and the Soviet Union collapsed.
I always felt that the credit was Gorbachev’s. From what I heard from Russians I knew, he had a pretty dark past, but he was trying, in that time period, to open the Soviet Block and allow more freedom. My Russian friends argued he went too slow; but as it turned out, it was still too fast for the hard-liners.
I remember that time, and in my opinion Reagan took far too much credit for himself. There was a “feeling in the air” that the Soviet holds in Eastern Europe were weakening. There were economic reasons, as old-style collectivism on farms and in factories was so inefficient compared to Western countries. And also people behind “The Iron Curtain” saw broadcasts across borders that made them more aware of much better conditions in other countries.
Gorbachev loosened the reins a bit, and then the blinkered horses pulled free. He deserves much more credit than Reagan, I believe. (In the end he got ousted; Reagan got boosted.) The only thing relative to Reagan that contributed to this situation was that he recklessly ramped up military spending and war hawkish talk, taking money from social programs to pay for it — and that badly affects us to this day.
The cartoon certainly alludes to this complexity, as opposed to the simplistic idea that Reagan was the supreme hero. Don’t believe that. People, especially Republicans, have feasted on that delusion too long.
And further — we could have skillfully worked to partner with Russians to allow them to keep a semblance of pride while incorporating Western democratic values. But no, many mocked them and this led eventually, I believe, to Putinism. And in sly revenge, Putin and his cadre of Russians are now corroding our institutions and mocking US.
So, dismantling the Berlin Wall was a good thing in itself. But misplaced national pride has, as always, messed things up further down the line.
It has always been a disappointment to me that Robert Heinlein was not alive to see the removal of the wall and the subsequent fall of the USSR. He predicted it in the early 60’s after traveling extensively (and being named persona non grata) in the Soviet Union.
The world thought the USSR was strong and growing stronger but Heinlein saw its core weaknesses.
paul courry over 4 years ago
Best raise my awareness!) :)comic I am aware of! (Please people, raise my awareness!) :)
paul courry over 4 years ago
Let’s try that again…..Best comic I am aware of! (Please people, raise my awareness!) :)
jdeathlogan over 4 years ago
That important press conference is not taught along with “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” at least in the United States. Look up the Wikipedia article on Günter Schabowski. In the words of Arte Johnson “Very Interesting”.
apocolypse101 over 4 years ago
I’ve got a chunk of the wall at my house.
Masterskrain Premium Member over 4 years ago
Gee… and now the current occupant wants to BUILD a wall… guess who DIDN’T learn a damn thing from history?
Durak Premium Member over 4 years ago
I served with a soldier in Moscow. He was one of only two men that I know of to be stationed in Berlin when the Wall fell and Moscow when the tanks rolled and the Soviet Union collapsed.
Well, the only American that I know of.
P51Strega over 4 years ago
I always felt that the credit was Gorbachev’s. From what I heard from Russians I knew, he had a pretty dark past, but he was trying, in that time period, to open the Soviet Block and allow more freedom. My Russian friends argued he went too slow; but as it turned out, it was still too fast for the hard-liners.
PraiseofFolly over 4 years ago
I remember that time, and in my opinion Reagan took far too much credit for himself. There was a “feeling in the air” that the Soviet holds in Eastern Europe were weakening. There were economic reasons, as old-style collectivism on farms and in factories was so inefficient compared to Western countries. And also people behind “The Iron Curtain” saw broadcasts across borders that made them more aware of much better conditions in other countries.
Gorbachev loosened the reins a bit, and then the blinkered horses pulled free. He deserves much more credit than Reagan, I believe. (In the end he got ousted; Reagan got boosted.) The only thing relative to Reagan that contributed to this situation was that he recklessly ramped up military spending and war hawkish talk, taking money from social programs to pay for it — and that badly affects us to this day.
The cartoon certainly alludes to this complexity, as opposed to the simplistic idea that Reagan was the supreme hero. Don’t believe that. People, especially Republicans, have feasted on that delusion too long.
And further — we could have skillfully worked to partner with Russians to allow them to keep a semblance of pride while incorporating Western democratic values. But no, many mocked them and this led eventually, I believe, to Putinism. And in sly revenge, Putin and his cadre of Russians are now corroding our institutions and mocking US.
So, dismantling the Berlin Wall was a good thing in itself. But misplaced national pride has, as always, messed things up further down the line.
Radish the wordsmith over 4 years ago
Mr. Trump, tear down that wall.
DrDon1 over 4 years ago
Thanks to Carroll for raising our awareness!
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member over 4 years ago
I love Germany so much that I always wish to have two of them .
Andylit Premium Member over 4 years ago
It has always been a disappointment to me that Robert Heinlein was not alive to see the removal of the wall and the subsequent fall of the USSR. He predicted it in the early 60’s after traveling extensively (and being named persona non grata) in the Soviet Union.
The world thought the USSR was strong and growing stronger but Heinlein saw its core weaknesses.