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Refugees from Vietnam and East Germany have battled many hardships while enduring life in their home countries, as well as throughout the respective journeys they've faced after being forced to relocate. Although these two groups have had different experiences with the various struggles of relocation, such as travel, economic burden, and the ultimate transition to new lives in culturally unknown areas, one factor is shared; the concept of war being a primary catalyst to the flood of Vietnamese and East German refugees.
As of 1996, over 700,000 refugees from Vietnam, 135,000 from Cambodia, and 210,000 from Laos were admitted to the United States. This massive sweep of refugees can be divided into three main waves. The first wave began in 1975 as a result of the fall of Saigon, South Vietnam's capital, into the hands of the communist North Vietnamese troops.
The rush of the first wave stemmed from the leftovers of the war in Vietnam, the unanticipated and abrupt defeat of South Vietnam in 1975, and the rumors of the Hanoi government's plan to execute any former South Vietnam civil servant or official, as well as anyone in affiliation with the Americans.
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The second wave, or the "crisis of the boat people," arrived in America in the late 1970's. Fleeing by rugged and overcrowded rafts onto American shores, this group consisted mainly of Sino Vietnamese and ethnic minorities who left after the Chinese involvement in Vietnam's war with Cambodia. The third wave, occurring in the early 1980's, was driven by “boat people” and those leaving under the United States Orderly Departure Program.
In addition to political repression, unsuccessful harvests, a constant sense of conflict with neighboring countries, and a lack of resources for capital development, the war brought an overwhelming sense of depression and hopelessness that was strong enough to force out thousands of residents and families.
East Germans were also refugees that were primarily driven out by the effects of war and conflict. Since 1949, West Germany has received and registered more than 2,600,000 refugees from East Germany; of more than 3,500,000 since the end of World War II. “In general, the refugee leaves the Soviet Zone because he has grievances against the communist system. In the past, this usually meant feelings of oppression and frustration over political and economic conditions... In recent weeks, however, an additional element seems to have been the developing crisis over West Berlin, which has led to widespread fear not only of war but also that chances for escape might soon disappear.” (“East German Refugees”) In this particular case, the concept of fear that comes from the simple threat or imminent thought of war was enough to send East Germans fleeing to West Germany; even when no physical danger was present.
The refugees also saw the chance to vacate as a 'last option' so to speak, as if the war was so catastrophically close that this opportunity would never present itself again. Which, in turn, made the relocation appear to be extremely appealing, and almost 'lucky. Other causes of East Germans becoming refugees include unsatisfactory living conditions, spontaneous food shortages, and ultimately, the regime's failure to fix these problems. Naturally, West Germany offered many attractive prospects that appealed to East Germans, ultimately driving their relocation.
Struggle of Refugees in America. (2022, Sep 10). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/struggle-of-refugees-in-america-essay
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