Berlin Crisis 1958-61 and Berlin Wall Flashcards
What were Ulbricht’s issues?
Between 1949-61 2.5 million fled the GDR and 1.6 million departed through Berlin, most being young and professional skilled workers, as a consequence of lack of food. West Berlin was also a point of espionage and cheap food could be accessed from East Berlin shops.
What ultimatum did Khrushchev offer?
27 November 1958 – Khrushchev ultimatum, 6 months for West to withdraw from Berlin and make it a free demilitarised city, own rights over lines of communication with West Berlin relinquished and GDR recognised. UK, France, and US reject. 1959 meeting of Foreign Ministers in summer for 3 months, failure to reach agreement.
Between Khrushchev’s US visit Sept 1959 and the August 1961 how did tensions flare up?
Khrushchev visited US Sept 1959 and agreed to disarmament and the Berlin issue would be resolved in negotiation. April 1960 Paris summit cancelled as USSR shot down American U2 plane. Ulbricht impatient over border-crossers, between Jan-Aug 1961 181,000 left.
What happened at the Vienna summit in 1961?
June 1961, Kennedy meets Khrushchev at Vienna summit and Khrushchev renews ultimatum. Kennedy refused revision of Four Power agreements and increased US military strength alongside requesting funds from Congress for civil defence programme.
How did Ulbricht influence Khrushchev?
- GDR on edge of Soviet bloc, so vulnerable to Western influence.
- Geographic distance allowed Ulbricht to follow different policies.
- Hardline personality and confidence.
- East Berlin and GDR valued most by USSR as representation of supreme socialism to West.
- Ulbricht milked Beria’s proposals to give up GDR.
- During Sino-Soviet conflict, GDR support needed.
What was Brandt’s response to construction of the wall on 13 Aug 1961? What was US response?
Willy Brandt led demonstrations as West failed to respond. September 1961 US send 40,000 soldiers to Europe, most to FRG. Conscription rose from 6-18 months, 1962.
When were West Berliners allowed to visit East and East pensioners allowed to visit West?
Dec 1963, visits to East Berlin permitted for West Berliners, under Stasi surveillance. East Berliners had to cope and adapt to state repression.In 1964 pensioners permitted to visit for one four week period annually, most commented on lack of solidarity.
When did West Berliners get passes?
Sept 1971 revision of Four Power Agreement allowed passes for West Germans to visit GDR.
What economic reform did Ulbricht issue?
1963 Ulbricht issues ‘Age of Socialism and New Economic System’ to increase industrial productivity and flexibility. Consumer goods more available and wages rose. By 1960 Ulbricht boasted GDR catching up. Stopped by late 60s due to subservience to Moscow.
What was the wall’s appearance on the East and West? When was it modified?
Wall covered in political messages on West, in East it was whitewashed and heavily guarded with an exclusion zone. Modified in 1975 and 1980.
What was the responsibility of GDR border troops?
GDR border troops liable to 5 year prison sentences for not stopping flight from the republic. Honours offered to those who killed GDR citizens. 50,000 border troops for inner German border and Berlin Wall.
What were the fates of those who tried to escape?
5000 successfully escaped and 191 killed at border including Peter Fechter, a bricklayer, who was 18 and shot as he tried to escape in 1962, his death on live TV.
What was Kennedy’s response to the wall?
- Kennedy considered tearing wall down with tanks but realised that the USSR would build another wall, and preferred a wall to war.
- Kennedy resolved to make propaganda out of construction of wall, dispatching Vice President Johnson to demonstrate US concern.
