The Berlin Crisis 1961 Flashcards
Why was Berlin a problem for the SU after WW2 (3)
- Berlin was in a Soviet Zone
- Because capital city was split it provided an escape route
- Stalin scared capitalism would spread
Between 1949 and 1961, how many East Germans fled to the West through Berlin?
4 million
Why did many people flee from East Berlin to West Berlin? (3)
- More freedom
- Become richer
- Easier to buy consumer goods
Why was the amount the movement of people from East to West a bad thing for the SU?
- Humiliating
- Espionage could come from West Berlin
What was the Berlin ultimatum?
He told the allies to leave Berlin within 6 months
When was the Berlin ultimatum issued?
1958
Who issued the Berlin ultimatum?
Khrushchev
When did Khrushchev visit the USA to talk with President Eisenhower about Berlin and nuclear weapons?
1959
When was the second meeting to discuss Berlin happen?
1960
How many days before the second meeting to discuss Berlin was a pilot shot down?
9 days
What happened 9 days before the second meeting to discuss Berlin?
The SU announced it had shot down and captured a spy plane
When did West Germany join NATO?`
1955
When did Berlin join the European Economic Community?
1957
Why was West Germany being economically stronger a threat to Khrushchev?
Believed West Germany was a military threat
When did refugees leaving East Berlin equal more than 20,000 a month?
1961
From January 1961, how many refugees left East Germany each month?
20,000
Why was the amount of people leaving East Berlin a ‘brain drain’?
Intellectual people leaving - drain on the economy and skilled craftsmen - threatened the economic collapse of East Germany
When did Khrushchev demand the USA leave Berlin for a second time?
1961
How much did JFK increase military spending by?
$3.5 billion
Why did JFK increase military spending?
Preparing for war
What did Khrushchev do in response to the USA increasing budget?
Increasing their own budget by 30%
When did Khrushchev close the border from East and West Berlin?
August 1961
What were the results of the Berlin crisis?
Families were split and the German people felt let down
What agreement was ruined during the Berlin crisis?
The 1949 agreement over Berlin
