C.7 The Berlin Wall, 1961

Question 1

West’s Reaction to the Berlin Wall

Answer 1

• kennedy realised the wall was a solution–Krushchev didn’t intend to seize west Berlin if he built a wall
• the wall could be seen as something that was inevitable, that it was the responsibility of the USSR reflected better on the west
• 14th August 1961, Kennedy urged that the closing of borders be exploited “politically propaganda-wise”
• kennedy sent vice president Lyndon Johnson and general Clay as kennedy’s representatives to west berlin

Question 2

Berlin Wall Timeline

Answer 2

• 13th august 1961-border between east and west berlin is closed–armed guards begin erecting a barbed wire barrier through the centre
• 14th august-brandenburg gate is closed
• 17th august-concrete blocks begin to replace barbed wire
• 26th august- all crossing points are closed for west berlin citizens