The Nature and Impact of Crises

Question 1

problem facing Berlin

Answer 1

Berlin was described as an island of capitalism in a sea of communism
refugee crisis at the end of 50s
East German population decreased by 1.2 million from 1950 to 1960

Question 2

brain drain

Answer 2

many who were leaving Berlin were skilled workers

Question 3

Khrushchev’s Ultimatum

Answer 3

Khrushchev issued an ultimatum to Western powers demanding they withdraw troops from berlin within six months. west refused

Khrushchev withdrew the ultimatum at the camp david summit in 1950.

U2 spy incident ruined relations and Khrushchev reissued the ultimatum at the Vienna Summit

Question 4

Berlin Wall

Answer 4

13th August 1961 - construction of the wall began

27th October 1961 - American tanks were placed at Checkpoint Charlie and Soviets also moved their tanks there

separated the east and west and led to deaths of people trying to cross the wall

Question 5

impacts of the wall

Answer 5

became a symbol of tension between both spheres of influence
somewhat diffused armed tension, but increased political tension and prolonged the war
became a powerful and potent symbol of the cold war
prevented open confrontation between the powers

Question 6

JFK Berlin Wall Quote

Answer 6

“It’s not a very nice solution but a wall is a hell of a lot better than a war” - 1961

Question 7

context to cuba

Answer 7

from 1933, cuba had been led by dictator Fulgencio Batista
America had supported Batista’s regime
in 1959, Batista was overthrown by Castro’s communist regime
in 1960, Khrushchev struck up a trade deal with Cuba and showed support for castro’s regime
In April 1961, America invaded Cuba in the bay of Pigs invasion, however it failed and this was a big humiliation for jfk
in may 1961, castro declared cuba a communist country

Question 8

cuban missile crisis

Answer 8

25 september 1962 - U2 photos revealed 42 nuclear warheads in cuba and another 32 ships sailing to cuba
24 october 1962 - american spy planes photographed the construction of Soviet Missile Bases in Cuba. these missiles could reach many major North American cities

Question 9

suggested reasons for the construction of Cuban Missile Bases

Answer 9

to protect cuba from another american invasion
to assert soviet strength on the world stage
to improve khrushchev’s reputation in the Soviet Union
to close the missile gap between the USSR and USA
to counter American Missile sites located in Turkey and West Germany

Question 10

JFKs blockade of Cuba

Answer 10

22 October 1962 - America imposed a naval blockade on Cuba but called it a quarantine
US navy would search ships going to cuba and any that carried nuclear missiles would be turned back
26 October - Khrushchev sent a letter to JFK saying he will remove missiles if Kennedy promises not to invade cuba
27 October - Khrushchev sent a second, more aggressive letter adding the removal of missiles in turkey to his conditions
28 October - Khrushchev dismantles missile launch pads and begins removing missiles from cuba

Question 11

impact of the cuban missile crisis

Answer 11

changed the character of the cold war
each power accepted the Nuclear power of the other
highlighted the benefit of negotiation and a hotline was established between the White House and Kremlin
American’s success boosted Kennedy’s reputation
led to the signing of several treaties including the 1963 Test Ban Treaty, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Question 12

context to Czechoslovakia

Answer 12

Czechoslovakia became a key part of the soviet sphere of influence after WW2 - strategic satellite state

During the 1960s, Czechoslovakia was led by Antonin Novotny, who was a hardline communist who censored press and limited personal freedoms

in 1967, peaceful protests broke out against Novotny. In 1968, Alexander Dubcek was appointed in his place. Dubcek introduced a series of reforms including increased trade with the west, decreased state control, freedom of the press

Question 13

Czechoslovakia Crisis

Answer 13

In August 1968, the Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia to bring down Dubcek’s government and in September 1969, Gustav Husak replaced Dubcek.

Question 14

Brezhnev Doctrine

Answer 14

used to justify the invasion of Czechoslovakia
indicated that the Soviets had the right to intervene in other communist countries where it believed that communism was under threat

Question 15

impact of the prague spring

Answer 15

czech people were now embittered with the regime despite previously being strong supporters of the soviets
intervention through the brezhnev doctrine put a stop to any further official moves towards reform in the Soviet bloc.