The Men Who United America by Martin Udogie

"The Men Who United The States" was written by Simon Winchester. Martin Udogie recently bought a copy and below, he explains why.

I literally froze when I read the title of this book. And it’s worth reflecting on why.

The United States of America wasn’t created as it is today. There were men who went out of their way, to do things to UNITE (not DIVIDE) the states of America. And anyone who has visited the U.S can’t but be full of admiration for these people and salute their courage and vision.

There is value in number and sheer size. America is what it is today on account of its size, and diversity.

Which reminds me of Germany of yesterday and today.

After Germany was defeated in the Second World War, the country was divided into two: West Germany (known as the Federal Republic of Germany) and East Germany (called the German Democratic Republic).

West Germany prospered as it embraced capitalism, while communist East Germany was doomed to poverty.

This dichotomy caused a steady flood of people from the East to the West.

Then suddenly, overnight on 13 August 1961 East Germany erected a huge border wall to stem the tide of migration from the East to the West. And what came to be known as the Iron Curtain would remain in place for almost three decades.

But ironically, while the wall existed, it was the more prosperous West Germans who waged a relentless campaign of unification, to tear down the wall.

They didn't have to. West German economy was booming, with low employment and world-class manufacturing and global brands. They had even won the FIFA World Cup thrice: 1954, 1974 and 1990.

And then finally, after 28 years, the Wall came down and East and West Germany reunified into a single German state on October 3, 1990.

The cost of the re-unification? Almost $2 trillion dollars, all borne by West Germany. The transfers from the West to the East was a sum equivalent to half Germany’s total economic output in 2008. Eastern Germany economic output was only 33% of the West in 1991, a figure that has now risen to around 80%. Both countries have prospered and Germany is today Europe's largest and strongest economy.

But the story doesn't end there.

On Sunday, September 22, 2013, German Chancellor and Head of Government, Angela Merkel swept into a historic third election victory.

It was a personal victory for the 59-year old woman who is now on track to overtake Margaret Thatcher as Europe’s longest-serving female leader.

And you know what? Angela Merkel is from the old Eastern Germany!

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Martin Udogie, Publisher, Trainer and Programme Host for the Radio Nigeria Network, wrote in from Lagos.

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