The year is 1961. After political division, civil and governmental unrest, and conflict between the East and West Bloc of Germany, the Berlin Wall was erected, separating West Berlin from East Germany, and preventing emigration and flight from the communist East Bloc. The Berlin Wall stood from 1961 until 1989, when the wall’s dismantling began. The destruction of the Berlin Wall represented an end to the violence, separation, and oppression consistent throughout the Cold War. However, portions of the Berlin Wall still remain to remind us of the importance of cohesion and peace, and to warn us of the oppressive effects of separating people, in order to prevent such events from recurring.
Now, in 2016, Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner, has exploited the American people’s misdirected anger, by proposing the construction of a wall, abutting the border between the United States and Mexico. Trump’s proposal bears a striking resemblance to the original proposition for the construction of the Berlin Wall.
The construction of the Berlin Wall was primarily proposed as a solution to halt mass emigration from East Germany into West Germany. Similarly, Trump’s proposal was presented as a “resolution” to address illegal immigration from Mexico into the United States. This uncanny parallel between Trump’s proposal and the East German, or the German Socialist Unity Party’s, proposal to construct the Berlin Wall provides evidence for the inherent repercussions that come with an abrupt decision to separate two territories.
Furthermore, the support Trump has gained over the past few months exemplifies the danger of repetition as a result of ignorance. Once events like the construction of the Berlin Wall and the long-lasting effects of its establishment are forgotten, such events are more likely to be repeated.
In addition, Trump’s proposal promotes isolationism and separation, which has proven to be catastrophic. The economic consequences of creating a wall along the border include the restriction of trade imports and exports between the United States and Mexico and the cost of construction and maintenance of the wall. As well as the previously stated economic consequences of building Trump’s proposed wall, the deportation of undocumented immigrants that Trump has proposed in conjunction with the construction of such a wall would prove to be equally, if not more, detrimental to the U.S. economy. Combined with the deportation of undocumented immigrants, America would lose an estimated 11 million workers and consumers, resulting in a six percent decrease in the overall American GDP, or a $1.6 trillion decline.
Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump has focused on the proposed wall as a means to eliminate illegal immigration in favor of legal immigration. However, if Trump’s intentions were at all sincere, his campaign would be focused primarily on making legal immigration easier and granting a more accessible path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Instead, Trump has proposed to physically hinder and prevent immigration through constructing a wall along the border and deporting undocumented immigrants.
Overall, Trump’s proposal to build a wall bordering the United States and Mexico resembles the original proposal to construct the infamous Berlin Wall, promotes xenophobic and isolationist practices, and exploits the fear of the American people, showing the terrifying reality of the power of anger over knowledge.
ZWG
Now, in 2016, Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner, has exploited the American people’s misdirected anger, by proposing the construction of a wall, abutting the border between the United States and Mexico. Trump’s proposal bears a striking resemblance to the original proposition for the construction of the Berlin Wall.
The construction of the Berlin Wall was primarily proposed as a solution to halt mass emigration from East Germany into West Germany. Similarly, Trump’s proposal was presented as a “resolution” to address illegal immigration from Mexico into the United States. This uncanny parallel between Trump’s proposal and the East German, or the German Socialist Unity Party’s, proposal to construct the Berlin Wall provides evidence for the inherent repercussions that come with an abrupt decision to separate two territories.
Furthermore, the support Trump has gained over the past few months exemplifies the danger of repetition as a result of ignorance. Once events like the construction of the Berlin Wall and the long-lasting effects of its establishment are forgotten, such events are more likely to be repeated.
In addition, Trump’s proposal promotes isolationism and separation, which has proven to be catastrophic. The economic consequences of creating a wall along the border include the restriction of trade imports and exports between the United States and Mexico and the cost of construction and maintenance of the wall. As well as the previously stated economic consequences of building Trump’s proposed wall, the deportation of undocumented immigrants that Trump has proposed in conjunction with the construction of such a wall would prove to be equally, if not more, detrimental to the U.S. economy. Combined with the deportation of undocumented immigrants, America would lose an estimated 11 million workers and consumers, resulting in a six percent decrease in the overall American GDP, or a $1.6 trillion decline.
Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump has focused on the proposed wall as a means to eliminate illegal immigration in favor of legal immigration. However, if Trump’s intentions were at all sincere, his campaign would be focused primarily on making legal immigration easier and granting a more accessible path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Instead, Trump has proposed to physically hinder and prevent immigration through constructing a wall along the border and deporting undocumented immigrants.
Overall, Trump’s proposal to build a wall bordering the United States and Mexico resembles the original proposal to construct the infamous Berlin Wall, promotes xenophobic and isolationist practices, and exploits the fear of the American people, showing the terrifying reality of the power of anger over knowledge.
ZWG