C.6 The Berlin Crisis, 1958-61

Question 1

Berlin Ultimatum

Answer 1

• 27th November 1958, Krushchev issued an ultimatum, giving western powers 6 months to agree to withdrawal from Berlin
• this would make Berlin demilitarised
• if they didn’t, communications would be controlled in west Berlin
• the western powers rejected it

Question 2

Post- Berlin Ultimatum

Answer 2

• the soviet union withdrew the deadline of the ultimatum
• may-august 1959, meeting of foreign ministers in Geneva discussed the future of Berlin–they came to no agreements
• september 1959, krushchev visited the US. He and eisenhower issued a statement saying there would be “peaceful means through negotiations”
• follow up summit (May 1960) in Paris called off at the last minute due to U2 spy plane being shot down over the USSR.

Question 3

Berlin Crisis 1961

Answer 3

• January 1961, JFK becomes president
• spring 1961, East german begins to build up supplies for the wall
• june 1961, Krushchev meets Kennedy, he renews the ultimatum but Kennedy refuses–increases strength of US military
• june 1961, Ulbricht “no one intends to erect a wall”