Berlin Crisis

Question 1

Why was there a crisis in Berlin in 1961

Answer 1

1. A new east German labour law, which stopped workers from going on strike, had led to a growing unrest in the factories
2. Agricultural reforms had led to higher prices and food shortage
3. In June 1961 Khrushchev raised tensions by threatening to end the existing four power agreements guaranteeing America, British and French rights to access West Berlin
4. In the 6 months up to June 1961 103,00 East Germans had fled through Berlin
5. President Kennedy asked congress for an additional $3 billion to increase Americas armed forces
6. The Soviets accused the West of using West Berlin to spy on them

Question 2

What were the results of the Berlin Crisis

Answer 2

1. Wall is built splitting east and west Berlin
2. Thousands found ways to escape - tunnelling, hid in car boots + hot air balloons
3. Very little the West could do, had to accept the wall
4. Kennedy gave “I am a Berliner speech”
5. Neither side went to war
6. Soviets had full control of East Berlin and East German

Question 3

What were the key aspects of the Berlin Wall, 1961-1989?

Answer 3

1.The economy of East Berlin was getting weaker, as many skilled workers were fleeing for a better life in West Berlin. This became known as the ‘brain drain’
2. The wall was built to stop the western Berliners from spreading capitalist influence. The wall would prevent anyone from West Berlin from entering the eastern side.
3. There were clear differences between the east and the west. The east was beginning to suffer under soviet rule, as the economy was failing and living standards were falling. In the west, there was better housing and the economy was better.
4. Khrushchev ordered the borders between east and west Berlin to be closed in August 1961. Just a few days later, soviet troops began to put up a barbed wire fence, stretching 27 miles across the city- this was the first barrier between East and West Berlin
5. Construction began on a more permanent barrier between the two sides. The new wall was around four metres high in places, reinforced with iron bars and concrete slabs.
6. People attempted to escape in various ways. Some managed to tunnel under it, hiding in the boot of a car that was leaving east Germany or hot air ballooning over the wall