Cold War - Transformations Flashcards
What was West Berlin/Germany like before the Berlin Wall? (3)
- rebuilt after war using Marshall Plan aid => economically strong
- establishment of new constitution for Federal Republic of Germany => democratic
- made part of NATO 1955 + remilitarised to allow them to defend themselves against the east
What was East Berlin/Germany like before the Berlin Wall? (6)
- stripped of industrial equipment + goods to pay for reparations to USSR
- many homes still not rebuilt by end of 1950s
- creation of new state under the SED - a strict communist party - in 1949, dictatorship
- creation of secret police (stasi)
- 1953 - a protest against communism was brutally put down by USSR + German government
- 1955 => joined Warsaw Pact
Who were the leaders during the events in Berlin?
- Khrushchev - USSR
- Kennedy - USA
- Walter Ubricht - East Germany
What happened in 1958 regarding West Berlin?
1958, Khrushchev gave Eisenhower an ultimatum on leaving Berlin, but USA doesn’t and nothing happened.
What was one of the causes for the Berlin Wall that involved East Germans leaving? (3)
- East Germans could see how much better life was in West Berlin - where they had freedom + luxury goods.
- Thousands of East Germans permanently crossed over/defected to the west, where they could easily travel beyond the Iron Curtain.
- By 1960, over 3 million East Germans defected with thousands defecting a day by 1961.
When was the Vienna Summit?
3rd - 4th June 1961
Why did the Vienna summit happen?
Superpower leaders met to try and repair relations after U2 crisis + Paris peace summit.
What happened at the Vienna Summit in relation to Berlin?
- Berlin was a major discussion point.
- Kennedy committed to capitalist West Berlin.
What did the Vienna Summit establish in terms of relations between the leaders?
Khrushchev overpowered Kennedy in discussions, as Kennedy was young + inexperienced in the eyes of many, including Khrushchev.
What was achieved at the Vienna Summit?
Little achieved at summit => sets tone for superpower relations in upcoming years.
How did Khrushchev feel about a wall Pre-1961?
Pre-1961, Khrushchev didn’t want a wall as he didn’t want communism to be seen as a prison + didn’t want to accept that Germany/Berlin would never be reunited.
Where was the decision made to build the Berlin Wall and what was the reason for it?
- Decision was made officially in East Germany, but in reality it was Moscow.
- Reason given was to prevent spies entering Soviet territory from West Berlin.
- It was also admitted that East Germany was losing too many educated people to the West.
When was the Berlin Wall built?
Early on 13th August 1961, East German troops lined the border of East - West Berlin, and no east Berliners were allowed to pass.
Began middle of Saturday night in USA.
How was the Berlin Wall built? (3)
- Barbed wire fences put up + trains could no longer cross the border.
- The fences zigzagged through the city, following the original border, running down streets and even splitting cemeteries in 2.
- Over the next 7 days - concrete wall built around West Berlin.
Who built the Berlin Wall?
Officially East Germans built the wall, but Soviet tanks waited a few miles outside the city ready to intervene if there was any resistance.
How did the people react to the Berlin Wall?
No protests - people mostly stayed at home. Streets were quiet as wall went up.
How did the Berlin Wall affect families?
Split families up - became illegal to cross border to visit relatives.
How long was the Berlin wall up for?
Nearly 30 years.
What is an example of people who tried to escape Berlin?
1962, 12 pensioners escaped through what became known as ‘senior citizens tunnel’. Led by 81-year-old man. The group spent 10 days digging a 49m long 2m high tunnel.
How did the USA react initially to the Berlin Wall? When did everyone find out?
US military commanders in West Berlin/Germany couldn’t respond without instructions from leaders. US Secretary of State + other key officials worked early on Sunday morning and JFK wasn’t told until mid-morning.
How did JFK + USA officially react to the Berlin Wall?
- JFK was angry with USSR, but it was decided that as long as West Berlin was free and could travel between West Berlin and West Germany, no action would be taken.
- The USA sent an official complaint to Moscow but nothing more - East Berlin wasn’t worth a war.
What happened in October 1961 that led to another crisis? (3)
- October 1961, a senior US diplomat and his wife tried to enter East Berlin to go to the theatre.
- They were refused entry as they wouldn’t show guards their documents.
- So General Clay, a US representative in West Berlin, sent soldiers to accompany the couple through ‘Checkpoint Charlie’.
How did the event in October 1961 lead to another crisis? (3)
- Led to another crisis between 2 sectors, culminating in Soviet tanks being posted at official checkpoint - Checkpoint Charlie.
- They were in a head-to-head stand off at Checkpoint Charlie.
- NATO + Soviet forces were on full alert and both sides became concerned that the slightest things, like a nervous soldier firing his weapon could cause war.
When did the standoff in Berlin end? (3)
- When JFK and Khrushchev agreed to reduce tensions by withdrawing their tanks.
- Soviets withdrew tanks about 5 metres first and then USA did the same.
- This continued until the standoff was over.
What did the end of the standoff in Berlin confirm?
That even though both sides had nuclear weapons, still very keen not to go to war.
What did the Berlin Wall symbolise?
A physical symbol of division.
What happened in June 1963 regarding Berlin?
- June 1963 - JFK went to West Berlin, as it gave him chance to get foreign policies of containment back on track, and the chance to show his commitment to these policies at the front line of the Cold War.
- He visited the Wall + looked over into East Germany, before making a speech to 120,000 West Berliners, outlining his beliefs about the evils of communism and the need to protect the freedom of West Berlin.
- He proclaimed, “I am a Berliner” (Ich bin ein Berliner).
How did the Berlin Wall transform the Cold War? (3)
- Berlin is no longer a source of tension in Cold War - focus shifts out of Europe.
- Transformed tensions - another flashpoint increases tensions.
- Transformed superpower relations - attempting to talk, but still tension, and the end to Thaw/Peaceful Co-operation.
What had happened in/was Cuba like in 1889 and the years following?
- In 1889, USA had helped Cuba become independent from the Spanish Empire.
- In the following years, American business people made huge investments in the country and eventually owned most of the businesses on the island, as well as having a huge naval base there.
What had happened in Cuba in 1933 and the years following? (2)
- 1933, Fulgencio Batista Salvador came to power and became the cuban dictator for the next 25 years.
- American investment continued as well as economic/military support.
What was Batista’s Cuba like?
Batista’s Cuba was undemocratic, corrupt and unpopular, with political opposition quickly silenced. However, they were largely anti-communist, hence the support from the USA.
How did Castro’s revolution begin?(4)
- Castro called for a revolution in 1953, but he was imprisoned and then exiled to Mexico.
- He returned to Cuba in December 1956, with 81 supporters.
- They were called ‘26th of July Movement’, and nicknamed the Los Barbados (the bearded ones).
- They launched a two-year campaign of guerrilla warfare.
What was the aim of Castro’s revolution?
Their aim was to overthrow Batista and take back power from American business people.
When did Castro become leader of Cuba?
On January 1st 1959, Batista fled Cuba, and the following day Castro entered the capital, Havana, declaring a new Cuba.
How had Castro positioned his revolution against Batista?
A fight by ordinary Cubans against an oppressive and corrupt regime.
How did the USA react to Castro becoming leader of Cuba?
USA recognised Castro as new leader, but showed little interest.
Did Castro and Eisenhower meet after Castro became leader?
Castro visited USA, making speeches across the country about how he was willing to work with the USA, but Eisenhower refused to meet with him, despite the issues that had arose.
What issues had arose by 1961 in USA relating to Cuba?
- Cuban exiles in USA were forming pressure groups and demanding action be taken against Castro.
- Castro’s reorganisation of Cuba involved taking American businesses/industries in Cuba and distributing them, as well as land, to his supporters or keeping them as state property.
What did Eisenhower authorise in June 1960, relating to Cuba?
June 1960, Eisenhower authorised the CIA to investigate ways of overthrowing Castro.
How did USA disrupt Cuban economy? (2)
- USA disrupted Cuban economy by not buying from sugar plantations, in turn damaging them.
- Also refused to work with any businesses which used imported goods from USSR.
What had Castro done by summer 1960?
Castro had allied with USSR, who gave them $100 million in economic aid, and eventually arms.
Cuba was now totally politically aligned with, and economically dependent on the USSR.
What did the USA do in February 1962 in response to the events in/with Castro’s Cuba?
USA declared a total embargo on Cuba, banning all trade with the country.
How did Cuba being communist impact the USA, and what did they do?
Having a country under Soviet control a few miles off the American coast was a source of tension for American government, so as Eisenhower’s presidency came to an end in 1960, the CIA drew up a plan to deal with Castro, which Kennedy gave the go ahead to when he came into office.
What was the USA’s plan to deal with communist Cuba?
The plan was to train a large group of Cuban exiles with the CIA, of whom would launch an invasion of Cuba with the support of the US Air Force. The invasion would inspire other cubans to revolt and overthrow the regime.
What were the initial criticisms of the USA’s plan to invade Cuba? (2)
- It soon became clear that most Cubans supported Castro, therefore wouldn’t help with the revolt.
- Arguments in American government began, suggesting that any sort of invasion would be illegal.
Did the invasion of Cuba happen? When?
Having spent $5 million on training the exiles, the CIA couldn’t abandon the plan. Kennedy agreed that the invasion should be launched, and on 17th April 1961, Cuban exiles landed on the beach in the Bay of Pigs - Cuba.
What did Kennedy decide last minute relating to the Bay of Pigs invasion?
At the last moment, Kennedy decided not to involve US Air forces, and the Cuban exiles were left completely exposed.
What happened at the Bay of Pigs Fiasco? (4)
- Of the 1500 ground troops, almost 200 were killed as they landed.
- A further 1197 were captured.
- Cuban people didn’t support the invaders, leaving them to be easily defeated by Castro.
- It was made obvious that the USA had been involved.
What impacts did the Bay of Pigs Fiasco have on USA and Kennedy?(3)
- failed to achieve its objective
- left USA open to criticism, as its involvement was illegal under international law
- made Kennedy look weak and inexperienced, which was dangerous as he headed into his first meeting with Khrushchev in Vienna, June 1961.
What impacts did the Bay of Pigs Fiasco have on Cuba and Castro? (3)
- Castro was able to claim a great victory against a more powerful country.
- However, he was aware he was vulnerable, so began looking for protection.
- This led him to a closer relationship with the USSR, leading to biggest challenge of Kennedy’s presidency and the moment of highest tension in entire Cold War.
What did being in a close relationship with Cuba mean for the USSR and Khrushchev?
- Having a communist ally so close to USA was an opportunity to seize.
- Would help his aim of increasing Soviet influence in South America.
- Installing missiles in Cuba was a way of showing soviet power, as well as retaliating against US missiles in Turkey.
What did USA warn USSR about on 11th September 1962? And how did USSR respond?
- On 11th September, Kennedy warned the USSR, that he would prevent ‘by whatever means necessary’ Cuba becoming an offensive military base - having a nuclear missile base.
- The same day USSR assured USA it had no need to put missiles in Cuba and had no intensions of doing so, despite having imported warheads to Cuba since Summer 1962.
What happened on October 14th 1962 - Cuba? (5)
- American U2 spy plane flew over Cuba + took detailed photographs of missile sites in Cuba, making it clear that they were nuclear and built by USSR.
- More photos confirmed that some sites were done + some were nearly complete.
- Some were already supplied with missiles and others awaiting them.
- Experts said most developed sites could be ready to launch missiles in 7 days.
- 20 Soviet ships were currently on route to Cuba, carrying more missiles.
What were JFK’s 5 options in relation to the USSR having missiles in Cuba?
- Do nothing
- Surgical Air Attack
- Invasion
- Diplomatic pressure
- Blockade
What were the +/- of JFK ‘doing nothing’ in response to the USSR’s missiles in Cuba?
+ The USA still had a vastly greater nuclear power than the USSR. The USA could still destroy the Soviet Union, so the USSR would never use those missiles. The biggest danger to world peace would be to overreact to this discovery.
- The USSR had lied about Cuban missiles. JFK had already issued his solemn warning to the USSR. To do nothing would be another sign of weakness.
What were the +/- of a ‘Surgical Air Attack’ in response to the USSR’s missiles in Cuba?
+ It would destroy the missiles before they were ready to use.
- Destruction of all sites couldn’t be guaranteed. Even one site left undamaged could launch a counter attack on USA.
- The attack would inevitably kill soviet soldier, so USSR might retaliate at once.
- The attack without advance warning was seen as immoral.
What were the +/- of an ‘invasion’ in response to the USSR’s missiles in Cuba?
+ Would get rid of missiles and Castro as well. The American forces were already trained and ready to do it.
- Would almost certainly guarantee an equivalent soviet response, either to protect Cuba, or a response within soviet sphere of influence - e.g, a takeover of Berlin.
What were the +/- of ‘diplomatic pressure’ in response to the USSR’s missiles in Cuba?
+ Would avoid conflict.
- If USA was forced to back down, it would be a sign of weakness.
What were the +/- of a ‘blockade’ in response to the USSR’s missiles in Cuba?
+ Would show USA was serious, but it would not be a direct act of war. Would put the burden on Khrushchev of what to do next. The USA had a strong navy and could still take other options if this one didn’t work.
- Wouldn’t solve the main problem - the missiles were already on Cuba. They could be used within 1 week. The soviet union might respond by blockading Berlin as they had done in 1948.
