Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum and the Summit Meetings: 1959-61. Flashcards
What was the refugee crisis in Berlin?
❑ West Germany and West Berlin were muchwealthier. They had been able to
accept the help from the USA calledMarshall Aid. However, East Germany and East Berlin still suffered withfood shortages and a lack of basic goods. There were many restrictions on people in the Soviet controlled areas with little freedom of speech andcensorship.
❑ This led to 3 million East Germanschoosing to leave home and move to West Germany for a better life. This was1/6th of the populationof East Germany.
❑ All they needed to do wastravel from East Berlin into West Berlin. Once in West Berlin they could have the freedom to move into West Germany.
❑ The type of people leaving wereskilled workerssuch as engineers, teachers
and electricians. It was therefore called theB‘ rain Drain’ of East Germany.
❑ These people knew they would earn more money in West Germany.
Why did Khrushchev not like the high numbers of refugees leaving?
❑ This many people leaving East Germany was an embarrassment for the
Soviet Union. People in Europe were obviously choosing capitalism over
communism. It made communism look bad.
❑ Khrushchev needed these skilled workers to help East Germany.
❑ Khrushchev needed to stop these people moving to West Germany.
What did Khrushchev want to happen to Berlin?
Khrushchev wanted the whole of Berlin to be controlled by East Germany. To him, this made sense as Berlin was located deep in East German territory. He also wanted to look strong after the Hungarian Uprising.
What was Khrushchev Berlin ultimatum in November 1958
Khrushchev made a set of final demands that:
❑ Western Troops should be removed from East Berlin
❑ Berlin should become a free city (controlled by the Soviets).
❑ The West were given 6 weeks to do this. If they did not, he threatened
to take over all transport routes in East Germany to stop people traveling to West Germany.
The wests reaction to the Berlin ultimatum? (Final demand)
❑ The West were annoyed by his demands and saw this as another example of the Soviet aggression and trying to spread the influence of communism.
❑ By the late 1950s, both sides had large numbers of nuclear weapons and both sides believed that if the military was used, it could start a nuclear war. The number of nuclear weapons being built by the Soviet Union and the USA was rapidly growing.
❑ One attack by one side could lead to retaliation by the other. It was hoped that by meeting, a solution could be found.
Meeting one. The Geneva Summit May 1959
Both sides met in Switzerland put their ideas forward about what to do with Berlin but no agreements were made.
US President Eisenhower invited Khrushchev to the USA
for further talks.
At least they talked.
Meeting two. Camp David (USA) Sep. 1959
• Eisenhower and Khrushchev met face to face for the first time. The two enjoyed their time together and got on personally.
• Khrushchev took away his Berlin Ultimatum terms but no agreement was made about Berlin.
