The Building Of The Berlin Wall (1961) Flashcards
What was built in 1961?
A wall in Berlin to separate East from West. This in turn led to another Cold War crisis.
The building of the wall was a ______ of ______ between East and West.
Culmination
Rivalry
What was the difference between East and West?
- East Berlin was not prosperous and was under strict Communist rule.
- West Berlin was prosperous with the help of US aid. It attracted many visitors from the East due its cinemas and shops. West Berlin also provided an easy escape route for over 250 000 refugees each year. Many of them were skilled and seeking a better life.
The USSR saw the West prospering as a……
Capitalist infection in the heart of East Germany
Why had The 1961 Bay of Pigs increased tension between USSR and USA?
The US had been involved in an attempt to overthrow the newly established communist government of Fidel Castro.
Why did Khrushchev need a diplomatic victory to secure his position in the Soviet Government?
His domestic policies were failing, and he was being blamed for the diplomatic split between China and USSR.
When was the wall erected?
On 12 August 1961, The East German authorities, with Soviet backing built the wall cutting the city in half overnight.
What did the fortified wall have?
It had machine-gun posts and searchlights, stopped the flow of refugees, and the East German economy improved.
Did the Wall change the situation in West Germany?
No, it was still an island of capitalism and democracy surrounded by East Germany. Many East Germans died trying to escape across the Wall, which became the most famous symbol of the Cold War period.
Did the have the opportunity to prevent the buildings of the wall?
No
What were results of the Berlin Wall?
- Berlin was now _______ divided
- Kennedy accepted the Soviet action even though it broke the ______-_____ agreement on Berlin. He refused to use American troops to pull down the Wall, fearing it might lead to war.
Physically
Four-Power
How did the Americans use the wall as propaganda?
If communism was such an ideal system, it was necessary to cage people in East Berlin
What happened when Kennedy visited Berlin?
He said ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’. He showed the USA’s commitment to the people of West Berlin by suggesting that the USA would never desert the city.
How did Khrushchev lose face?
He lost face by failing to remove the Western Powers from West Berlin. He believed that Kennedy’s response showed he was weak.
What was NATO?
A Western defense alliance.
What was the Warsaw Pact?
A USSR and allies defense alliance.
What did the defense alliances represent? (2)
- Showed the severity of the Cold War
- Nearly turned into a hot war
