Tear Down This Wall (1987)
Ronald Reagan
Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe. From the Baltic, south, those barriers cut across Germany in a gash of barbed wire, concrete, dog runs, and guardtowers. . . .
In the 1950s, Khrushchev predicted: "We will bury you." But in the West today, we see a free world that has achieved a level of prosperity and well-being unprecedented in all human history. In the Communist world, we see failure, technological backwardness, declining standards of health, even want of the most basic kind-too little food. Even today, the Soviet Union still cannot feed itself. After these four decades, then, there stands before the entire world one great and inescapable conclusion: Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is the victor. . . .
As I looked out a moment ago from the Reichstag, that embodiment of German unity, I noticed words crudely spray-painted upon the wall, perhaps by a young Berliner: "This wall will fall. Beliefs become reality." Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.
-Which Cold War example best illustrates the contrast in freedom that Reagan is describing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best example of the contrast in freedom that Reagan is describing is North Korea and South Korea. North Korea is a Communist country that has enforced strict control over its citizens, while South Korea is a democracy that guarantees basic rights and freedoms to its citizens. The stark contrast in prosperity, health, and technology between the two countries is a testament to the power of freedom to bring about prosperity and well-being.