Berlin refugee problem & Ultimatum Flashcards
What was life like in East Germany in the 1950s?
On the contrary from West Germans, East German citizens received little aid, were constantly monitored by the secret police, and suffered low living standards and lack of basic goods. The Communist regime became increasingly unpopular and the government’s economic policies were largely unsuccessful. There were riots against the government in 1953; Moscow sent in troops to restore order.
Why was West Germany in the 1950s a very attractive place for East Germans to move to?
West Germany, having received Marshall Aid, had become a prosperous country with high quality of life.
When had there been riots against the East German government? What followed?
1953; Moscow sent in troops to restore order.
How did East Germans get to West Germany?
They went from East to West Berlin, where they could then freely get to West Germany.
How many East German people had moved to West Germany by 1958?
3 million: over 1/6 of the population.
By what year had 3 million East Germans left for West Germany?
1958.
Why was the refugee crisis an issue for Khrushchev?
Many skilled workers were leaving: a threat for East Germany’s economy. It was a threat to Communist propaganda, since people were actively choosing to leave.
West Berlin was straining with the number of people entering it; this is why there were, in turn, guards on both sides of the Berlin wall.
How did Khrushchev respond to the refugee crisis?
Khrushchev wanted to force the Western powers out of Berlin, so that all of Berlin would become part of Eastern Germany, making it harder for East Germans to escape to the West. On the 27th of November 1958, he delivered his Berlin Ultimatum.
When did Khrushchev deliver his Berlin Ultimatum?
27th November 1958.
What were the 3 demands of Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum?
1) Western troops should withdraw from Berlin.
2) Berlin should become a free city (have an independent government). In reality, he wanted to control the city.
3) This was to happen in 6 months, or all control of routes into Berlin would be handed over to the East German government.
What does “ultimatum” mean?
“Final demand”
How did the West view Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum?
Although Khrushchev saw his demands as necessary action to solve the refugee problem, the West was outraged. Neither side wanted to go to war over the issue of Berlin, so a series of talks were held to try to solve it.
Give one consequence of Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum.
Neither the East or West wanted to go to war over the issue of Berlin, so a series of talks were held to try to solve it.
