KQ1: Defending the GDR

Question 1

Describe the impact of the Berlin Wall

Answer 1

• stemmed migration which provided greater economic stability in the GDR
• stabilised relations between the superpowers by the removal of a pressure point in the cold war
  BUT
• devastating human consequences = families separated/ loss of jobs in the West
• PROPAGANDA DISASTER

Question 2

What fraction of doctors left the GDR?

Answer 2

1/4 of all GDR doctors fled to the West before 1961

Question 3

When was Khrushchev’s ultimatum?

Answer 3

November 1958

Question 4

What was Khrushchev’s ultimatum?

Answer 4

• Berlin should become an international city governed by the UN
• the West had 6 months to agree to the deal

Question 5

What was the code name given to the building of the Berlin Wall?

Answer 5

Operation Rose

Question 6

Give 2 other reasons, apart from stopping emigration for the building of the Berlin Wall

Answer 6

1. many Eastern children were educated in the West

2. people who worked in the West could use their hard currency to purchase cheap goods

Question 7

Why did Khrushchev give an ultimatum

Answer 7

• stop emigration
• secure Western recognition of the GDR
• prevent NATO from putting nuclear missiles West Germany

Question 8

Describe the Berlin Wall

Answer 8

• 4m high concrete wall
• 30 watchtowers
• guard dog traps, tripwires and floodlights

Question 9

What was the estimated cost of lost skills due to emigration?

Answer 9

2.5 billion Ostmarks

Question 10

How many people died trying to escape the GDR?

Answer 10

223

Question 11

How many East Germans fled in 1960?

Answer 11

almost 200,000

Question 12

How many East Germans fled in 1953?

Answer 12

331,000

Question 13

How much did it cost to build the Berlin Wall?

Answer 13

$25 million

Question 14

Before the Berlin Wall, how many people crossed the border daily?

Answer 14

1/2 million people crossed the border each day