Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Pragmatism over passion...
The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 marked a monumental moment in history. Instead of glee, President George H.W. Bush responded with quiet relief, choosing pragmatism over passion to focus on a continued relationship with the Soviet Union.
In this original Life Stories interview, President George H.W. Bush reflects on his deliberate leadership approach during the fall of the Berlin Wall. Restraint, he argues, was a powerful act to such a critical moment in the thawing of the Cold War. “We had several times when restraint - I use the word prudence a lot - when prudence seemed to be the course to take. One of them was when the Berlin Wall fell down.”
Why do you think restraint is an important leadership strategy? Let us know in the comments!
This clip is part of "A Democracy Minute," where we offer 1-minute videos to spark discussions on the importance of exercising democracy. Our latest installment focuses on leadership.
Educators: Access free teaching resources at our website and watch our full interview with Bush Sr. on our YouTube channel!
Pragmatism over passion...
The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 marked a monumental moment in history. Instead of glee, President George H.W. Bush responded with quiet relief, choosing pragmatism over passion to focus on a continued relationship with the Soviet Union.
In this original Life Stories interview, President George H.W. Bush reflects on his deliberate leadership approach during the fall of the Berlin Wall. Restraint, he argues, was a powerful act to such a critical moment in the thawing of the Cold War. “We had several times when restraint - I use the word prudence a lot - when prudence seemed to be the course to take. One of them was when the Berlin Wall fell down.”
Why do you think restraint is an important leadership strategy? Let us know in the comments!
This clip is part of "A Democracy Minute," where we offer 1-minute videos to spark discussions on the importance of exercising democracy. Our latest installment focuses on leadership.
Educators: Access free teaching resources at our website and watch our full interview with Bush Sr. on our YouTube channel!
