Key Topic Two Flashcards
Berlin Refugee Crisis causes
Communist regime in East Germany was increasingly unpopular. Restrictions on what people could say and do and constantly monitored by secret police. 1953, riots against soviet government meant the soviets sent armed personnel to restore order.
Berlin Refugee Crisis events
Between 1949-61, 2.7 million Germans crossed from East to West Berlin. The population of West Germany increased while the economy benefitted from an influx of skilled workers, such as engineers and teachers. Many left the East for a better standard of living, leaving the East with a skills shortage.
This looked bad for the Soviets as people clearly preferred West Germany.
Impacts of the Berlin Wall on international relations
Berlin being divided and borders closed meant less likelihood for the US and USSR to go back to war over Berlin. Kennedy said that the wall was ‘a hell of a lot better than war’.
The West became an emblem of freedom and defiance against communism.
However, the Soviets building the wall reminded reminded people of Churchill’s 1946 Iron Curtain speech and the wall became a powerful symbol of the East and West’s differences.
The Wall sent a message that communism could survive in Berlin and any attempt to remove it would fail.
Berlin ultimatum
Khrushchev wanted the whole of Berlin to become part of East German territory, thus he issued the Berlin ultimatum on November 1958 demanding:
- West should recognise East Germany as an independent country
- Berlin demilitarised an West troops withdrawn
- Berlin should become a free city
Causes of Bay of Pigs incident
January 1959, a group of revolutionaries led by Castro toppled pro-American government of Cuba.
American government reluctantly recognised new government in Cuba but refused to provide economic aid unless Cuba followed guidelines.
May 1959, Castro took over land owned by foreign nationals and began to appoint communists to government after an agreement with the US.
Events of Bay of Pigs incident
Kennedy took over Eisenhower in 1961 and dint want a communist ally so close to American territory. He gave his support to the CIA who trained Cuban exiles to launch an invasion and overthrow Castro, as the attack would look like a counter cuban revolution.
April 1961, an invasion force of 1400 cuban exiles landed at ‘Bay of Pigs’ in Cuba.
Consequences of Bay of Pigs incident
Humiliating and embarrassing failure for the US as acting like the Soviets in Eastern Europe.
Stronger relationship between USSR and Cuba - Castro asked Khrushchev for further support in Cuba to prevent US attacks - 1961, Khrushchev announced arms to Cuba.
Kennedy concerned as Cuba’s military equipment modernised and troops receiving training from Soviet experts - Nuclear weapons in Cuba meant US under direct threat.
Causes of the Prague Spring - Czech people
Czechoslovakians unhappy with Soviet control:
Soviet control of media - TV and radio used as a mouthpiece for the communist regime.
SU took raw materials to develop their economy, creating poverty and low living standards.
Secret police force to create fear and oppression
Causes of the Prague Spring - Dubceck
Dubceck appointed in 1968 as secretary of the Czech communist party - believed in socialism with a ‘human face’. Introduced reforms such as:
- Censorship relaxed and government criticism allowed
- Trade unions given wider powers and decreased government control of industries
- Greater freedom to travel abroad
Events of the Prague spring
Brezhnev dissaproved these measures as other Satellite states would follow.
August 1968, 500 000 Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia, ending the Prague Spring.
Dubceck arrested and sent to Moscow to reverse his reforms which he failed to do so, and was replaced by communist hardliner, Gustav Husk.
Consequences of the Prague Spring
After the Soviets ended the Prague Spring, Soviet authorities made everything as it was by sacking half the leadership of the communist party and arresting 47 anti-communists in Cechoslovakia, leading to greater control over members of the Warsaw Pact.
Strong protests were made towards the SU from the US and the West. The US were quick to criticise the SU, but less prepared to act. The Su saw the US were willing to protest, but not take direct action in Europe.
Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Khrushchev previously promised not to place nuclear weapons in Cuba but did so due to:
NATO bases in Turkey
Embarrassment of the Berlin Wall
Fear of American attacks on Cuba
Events of the Cuban Missile Crisis
22nd October 1962, Kennedy set up a naval blockade around Cuba and no ships could pass through without US permission
24th October, two soviet ships & submarine reached blockade and turned around
26th October, Khrushchev sent JFK a telegram agreeing to remove missiles from Cuba if the US agreed not to invade. Kennedy ignored Khrushchevs second telegram to remove missiles from Turkey.
28th October, Khrushchev sent his agreement to finalise the telegram
Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis
August 1963, a communication line was set up between the White House and the Kremlin was set up.
Test Ban Treaty 1963 the US, USSR & UK agreed to not test nuclear weapons in space, water or the atmosphere.
