Contrasts in Berlin and the Berlin Wall Flashcards
Why were so many East Germans fleeing to the west ? And how many fled between 1946 and 1960 ? (3)
Political reasons - They disliked communism and had more freedom in the West.
Economic reasons- standards of living in Eastern Europe was well below the West.The west was full of shops, and had better job opportunities that paid more .
3 million.
Why did the Soviets feel like they had to stop East Germans moving to the West ? (2)
High skilled workers and well qualified managers were all in the West causing economic loss.
Politically- it showed communism wasn’t as good as capitalism.
Why was the Berlin Wall built ? (5)
To prevent communism from looking bad in comparison to capitalism.
To a to the East Germans fleeing to the West.
To strengthen soviet control of East Germany.
Uncertainty over the future of the soviet sector of Berlin.
To warn the allies to stay out and to stop spying in East Berlin.
What happened on the 17th of August in Berlin ?
The Berlin Wall that was made of barbed wire fence was replaced with stone and concrete.
What happened to the East Berlin citizens that tried to climb over the wall ?
They were shot dead on sight by the military .
Why did Khrushchev chose to pick a fight over Berlin in 1961?
America had a new president J.F Kennedy and therefore Khrushchev beloved him to be inexperienced, so he would not pick a fight over the building of the wall.
What did the American president do?
He visited the Berlin Wall and declared that the city was a symbol of the struggle between the forces of freedom and the communist world .
What was checkpoint Charlie ?
The only crossing point between East and West Berlin for civilians.
What happened on the 27th October 1961 that made the situation very tense?
Soviet tanks pulled up to checkpoint Charlie and refused any further access to the East. There was then a stand off between an American tank and a soviet tank.
Why did the lack of access to East Berlin anger the allies ?
Because they could no longer spy on the USSR through Berlin anymore.
When was the Berlin Wall built and who built it ?
13th August 1961.
The East Germans built the wall surrounding West Berlin.
