Berlin Crisis

Question 1

When was the Berlin crisis?

Answer 1

1961

Question 2

Why was Khrushchev worried about Berlin in the first place?

Answer 2

He was still worried about the west in Berlin, it was an island of capitalism in a sea of communism.

Question 3

When was Khrushchevs 6 month ultimatum?

Answer 3

1958

Question 4

What was the 6 month ultimatum.

Answer 4

Khrushchev gave America 6 months to leave West Berlin for good.

Question 5

4 reasons why Khrushchev wanted America out of Berlin

Answer 5

• Wanted to stop refugees fleeing, as it was affecting the economy (brain drain)
• It humiliated the soviets, as the refugee crisis showed people didn’t like communism.
• They didn’t like West Berlin since the failure of the Berlin blockade.
• America didn’t stop them in Hungary, maybe they wouldn’t stop them now?

Question 6

How did Eisenhower respond to the 6 month ultimatum?

Answer 6

• Geneva summit of may 1959

- Camp David of Sep 1959

Question 7

How did relations change during the Paris summit (1960) and Vienna summit (1961)?

Answer 7

Tensions get worse

• they were disagreeing over Berlin
• Both sides increase arms
• Khrushchev thought he could boss around the young JFK.

Question 8

When was the Berlin Wall built?

Answer 8

1961

Question 9

3 reasons why the Berlin Wall was built

Answer 9

• Khrushchev new he couldn’t win a nuclear war after JFKs huge developments to arms.
• Khrushchev needed to solve the refugee problem.
• It allowed Khrushchev to avoid war, whilst appearing strong.

Question 10

What was successful for the soviets from the Berlin Wall?

Answer 10

• Avoids War whilst appearing strong.

- Stopped refugee problem

Question 11

What was unsuccessful for the soviets in the Berlin Wall?

Answer 11

• couldn’t force USA out of West Berlin.

- Humiliated the soviets, as they had to build a wall to keep their people in.

Question 12

What was successful for USA in the Berlin Wall?

Answer 12

• Avoids war

- JFK looks strong as he didn’t give up West Berlin. Propaganda victory.

Question 13

What was unsuccessful for USA in the Berlin Wall?

Answer 13

-West Berlin was now encircled and USA did nothing.

Question 14

Over-all success or unsuccessful?

Answer 14

• victory for USA, as they look strong
• Not complete failure for soviets, as they solved the refugee problem whilst avoiding war, but couldn’t get USA out of Berlin.

Question 15

“Ich bin ein Berliner” speech

When was it and what did it symbolise?

Answer 15

1963

Symbol of division, capitalism can’t work with communism. Propaganda- capitalism is better.