the berlin question Flashcards
the 1950s saw more communication between the two superpowers , but underlying tensions remained.
there were some steps to improve east-west relations
president eisenhower, succeeded president truman in hanuary 1953 , while krushchev came to power in september, this provided an opportunity to create a fresh start.
.the USA and USSR met in geneva in 1955 and agreed to communicate more openly.
. in 1955, the USSR officially recognised the federal republic of germany as a state
.krushchev also freed some prisoners and reduced censorchip in the USSR
the berlin remained a source of tension
. after the berlin crisis , west berlin was a unified zone and countinued to develop economically, benfittting from a new currency and american marshal plan aid
.the situation in east berlin was very diff- the ussr has drained it of resources and its economt was slow to develop. many people wanted to leave and to go the more prosperous west berlin instead.
. the situation was very embarassing for krushchev as it suggested that people preffered life under capitalism to communism.
the soviet attitude towards berlin
. the ussr felt threatened by the economic success in west berlin
.east berlin had become dependent on trade links with west berlin
.the ussr worried the west was trying to use its strong economy to interfere in eastern europe
the western attitude towards berlin
.after the berloin airlift, west berlin became a symbol of democarcy- it had to be supprted or the west would lose credibility.
.people feeling from east berlin suited the west- it was a good propoganda because it made communism look weak
krushchev and eisenhower held a summit in 1959
. in 1959, krushchev became the first communist leader to visit the USA. the meeting symbolised a new spirit of co-operation and communication between 2 powers.
.at the meeting they discussed berlim. eisenhower still didnt agree to withdraw from west berlin, but did agree to discuss the matter more deeply.
.the leaders decided to meet in paris the following year, although no firm decisions had been made, the arrangment of another summit promised to countinue the optimistic dialougue they had started.
