cold war crises 1958-68

Question 1

How many Germans had left East Germant by 1958?

Answer 1

Three million, over 1/6 of the population

Question 2

What kind of people left during the ‘Brain Drain’?

Answer 2

Skilled workers like engineers, technicians and teachers who were vital to the economy

Question 3

What did Khrushchev demand in his ‘Berlin Ultimatum’?

Answer 3

That Western countries should officially recognise East Germany as an independent country

Question 4

What were summits discussing ‘Berlin Ultimatum’?

Answer 4

• Geneva, May 1959
• Camp David, Sept 1959
• Paris, May 1960
• Vienna, June 1961

Question 5

Why did the summits do badly?

Answer 5

• On 1st May 1960 as countries prepared for the Paris summit, an American U2 spy plane was shot down over Soviet Union
• Eisenhower embarrassed but apologetic
• Khrushchev walked out from meeting

Question 6

Who replaced Eisenhower in Jan 1961 and what was the effect of the change?

Answer 6

• Kennedy
• Khrushchev believed he was inexperienced in foreign affairs so it would be possible to get the better of him
• However, Kennedy refused to make any concessions and after Vienna increased spending on arm forces by over $2 billion

Question 7

What was the result of failure to find conclusion over Berlin Ultimatum?

Answer 7

• Increase in people crossing border into West incase they decided to close the border
• 12th August 1961, troops put a barbed wire fence between East and West Berlin

Question 8

What were negative impacts of building the Berlin Wall?

Answer 8

• Khrushchev had to abandon plans to unite Germany under Soviet control
• Showed he had to ‘lock’ people to keep them under his control

-People who wanted to escape the communist country could no longer do so

Question 9

What were the positive impacts of the Berlin Wall?

Answer 9

• Showed West that communism would survive in Berlin

- Khrushchev had been forced to accept Western control in West Berlin, which had now become an emblem of freedom

Question 10

What was the impact of Kennedy’s visit to Berlin in 1963?

Answer 10

Thousands of West Berliners went to hear him speak. He praised the freedom of the West + contrasted to communism

Question 11

Who ruled Cuba before Castro?

Answer 11

Batista, an army officer who had seized power with help of USA

Question 12

When was the Cuban revolution?

Answer 12

Jan 1959

Question 13

How far is Cuba from America?

Answer 13

145 km

Question 14

What reforms were introduced by Castro in 1959?

Answer 14

• End corruption in government

- Improve conditions of agricultural + industrial workers

Question 15

Why did USA become increasingly concerned over Castro’s reforms?

Answer 15

Castro began appointing communists to his government and agreed a trade deal with USSR where sugar would be swapped for weapons

Question 16

How did the USA react to Castro’s reforms?

Answer 16

• In Jan 1960 America stopped buying sugar and then banned all trade with Cuba
• By Jan 1961 they ended all diplomatic relations

Question 17

What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?

Answer 17

• led by Cuban exiles in Florida + supported by Kennedy
• Weapons provided by CIA
• They were confident Cubans would support them

Question 18

Why was Bay if Pigs a disaster?

Answer 18

• 1400 exiles were met with 20,000 Cuban troops + no support
• They knew it was supported by CIA so Kennedy was humiliated

Question 19

Consequences of the Bay of Pigs invasion?

Answer 19

• Castro needed more support from USSR incase of future attack
• Sept 1961- Khrushchev publicly announced he would supply arms to Cuba
• Castro now declared himself communist

Question 20

What were the effects of Bay of Pigs invasion of relations?

Answer 20

• Kennedy humiliated as invasion failed
• USA looked hypocritical for supporting invasion of independent country
• Communism looked good as Cuba wanted the new regime
• USA threatened by closeness of Cuba

Question 21

Why did Khrushchev place missiles on Cuba?

Answer 21

NATO had missiles on Turkey, so it was a bargaining tool

Question 22

What did a U2 spy plane discover and when?

Answer 22

Oct 14 1962:
Missiles sites being built in Cuba,
More ships going to Cuba with more missiles

Question 23

What did Kennedy do on Oct 22 1962?

Answer 23

He placed a naval blockade around Cuba + called on USSR to remove weapons

Question 24

How did Khrushchev respond to the naval blockade?

Answer 24

He said there were no missiles on Cuba and USSR would ignore the blockade

Question 25

When + what happened when ships met the blockade?

Answer 25

Oct 24 1962:

They turned back and didn’t attempt to break the blockade, but missiles remained

Question 26

When + what offer was made by Khrushchev in a letter?

Answer 26

Oct 26 1962:

USSR would remove missiles if USA removed blockade and promised not to invade Cuba

Question 27

What was the second offer made by Khrushchev?

Answer 27

Oct 27 1962:

USSR would remove missiles if USA removed theirs from Turkey

Question 28

How did Kennedy react to the letters?

Answer 28

• Same day he received second letter U2 spy plane was shot down over Cuba
• Kennedy only responded to the first letter, agreeing
• President’s brother informed Soviet ambassador in Washington that US would remove missiles from Turkey