Berlin Crisis and Berlin War

Question 1

Why was Berlin a key issue regarding East-West relations?

Answer 1

1. W. Berlin was a western military outpost well within the Communist bloc
2. Berlin was the only gap in the ‘Iron Curtain’ where free travel between East and West could take place.

Question 2

Why and when was the border shut between East to West (excluding Berlin)?

Answer 2

GDR (East Germany) sealed the border with FRG (West Germany) in 1952
- Due to mass migration from East to West

Question 3

What was the consequence for migrating to the West in 1957?

Answer 3

Migration was denounced and punished by up to 3 years in prison for those caught

Question 4

How many fled East Berlin in 1960?

Answer 4

190,000

Question 5

Why was Germany an issue for the Soviets prior to wall?

Answer 5

• West Germany was member of NATO, this could mean she gets nuclear weapons and so threatens Soviet security
• No real restrictions on Germans leaving the GDR (East Berlin) for the FRG (West Berlin) – and this exodus undermined economy in GDR even more
• The West had not yet recognised the GDR

Question 6

Reasons for the USSR to change attitude on Germany (USSR position)

Answer 6

• By 1958 Sino-Soviet relations were deteriorating and Khrushchev needed to strengthen the USSR’s credentials as the dominant communist power
• Khrushchev’s priorities were to strengthen the economy and defences of the USSR, and to spread communism and Berlin was the focus to fulfil these objectives
• USSR’s hold on her satellite states was fragile

Question 7

How did the arms race impact Berlin/Germany in 1958?

Answer 7

• By 1958 the US was becoming concerned by the USSR’s progress in the nuclear arms and space races.
• USSR feared the US might address this by placing nuclear missiles in West Germany.

Question 8

When was the Berlin Ultimatum from the USSR?

Answer 8

27 Nov 1958

Question 9

What was the Berlin Ultimatum?

Answer 9

Six-month ultimatum to the west demanding the withdrawal of their troops from West Berlin and it to be declared a free city and without 4 power control

Question 10

What would happen if the West did not agree to the Berlin Ultimatum and what would this mean?

Answer 10

USSR would sign a separate treaty with the GDR
- Threaten the Western powers’ access to, and occupation of, West Berlin
- Transfer all Soviet rights in Berlin to the GDR, meaning they controlled access to West Berlin
- Therefore, the Western powers would be forced to negotiate with, and therefore recognise, the GDR

Question 11

When was the Hallstein Doctrine?

Answer 11

1955

Question 12

When did the West reject the Berlin Ultimatum?

Answer 12

31st December 1958

Question 13

What was the Hallstein Doctrine?

Answer 13

• FRG (West Germany) had the right to represent entire German nation
• Government refused to maintain diplomatic relations with states that recognised the GDR (except USSR)
• The FRG would regard the recognition of the GDR, by any state other than the USSR, as an unfriendly act and would therefore end diplomatic relations with such states

Question 14

Why did issue of Berlin re-erupt in 1961?

Answer 14

When Khrushchev met JFK at the Vienna Summit and JFK made it clear he would not give up West Berlin

Question 15

How many had fled East Berlin by 1961?

Answer 15

2.7 millions

Question 16

What was Khrushchev’s initial attitude towards a wall and why did this change?

Answer 16

Consistently avoiding closing the East Berlin border however the continuously migration led to his mind changing
- Many skilled workers aiding the economy left

Question 17

Who was the East German chancellor and when did he begin pushing for the wall?

Answer 17

Walter Ulbricht in 1952

Question 18

When did the wall building begin?

Answer 18

13th August 1961

Question 19

Immediate impact of the Berlin Wall

Answer 19

• Could be used as USA propaganda to emphasise the West’s focus on freedom by controlling expansionist communism
• GDR’s immediate economic crisis was resolved as skilled workers unable to leave
• Showed West had reached somewhat recognition for the GDR as there was a lack of action and somewhat tolerance of the wall
• Argued it guaranteed no military conflict between USSR and USA as it was better than a nuclear wall and wall shows the USSR understood the threat weapons could have

Question 20

What was Checkpoint Charlie?

Answer 20

The only crossing point between East and West Berlin

Question 21

When was the Ich bin ein Berliner speech?

Answer 21

June 1963

Question 22

When was the Checkpoint Charlie standoff?

Answer 22

27th-28th October 1961

Question 23

What was the fate of USA and USSR following standoff and wall?

Answer 23

• Kennedy accepted the Soviet action. He refused to use US troops to pull down the wall to avoid war.
• Kennedy looked weak but West turned it into propaganda
• Khrushchev lost face by failing to remove the West from Berlin.