Topic 2 Flashcards
What was the first Berlin crisis
Berlin blockade which led to the airlift in 1948
What / when was the second Berlin crisis
Berlin Wall in 1961
What 4 things Led to the building of the Berlin Wall
Refugee problem
Berlin Ultimatum
The Paris summit 1960
Vienna summit 1961
What was the refugee problem that led to the building of the Berlin Wall
1949- 61 , 4 million people left east Germany through West Berlin because they had a lack of political freedom ,lack of consumer goods, economic problems, living in fear ,collectivisation of agriculture.
but 1961, 20,000 a month we’re leaving east Berlin for West Berlin, including highly educated and skilled people
Khrushchev had to stop people leaving through West Berlin because it was an international embarrassment ( shown that capitalism is better than communism. )
Also it won’t be able to function as It won’t be sufficient workforce
How did the Berlin ultimatum lead to the building of the Berlin Wall
Khrushchev suggests to Eisenhower that the allies leave W. Berlin and it becomes a free city.
Eisenhower did not want to escalate the situation so he agreed to meet Khrushchev at a summit (a meeting of heads of states)
Why did the paris summit not happen (1960)
The summit never happened.
As 9 days before it was due to start SU announced that it had shot down an American U2 spy plan near the soviet city of svërdlovsk. They arrests the pilot. Khrushchev demanded that all such flights stop + that the USA given an apology for spying.
Eisenhower was prepared to stop the flights but would not apologise.
(Because admitting to spying would escalate things)
The Vienna summit 1961
Khrushchev met Kennedy discuss the Berlin ultimatum
Khrushchev thinks Kennedy is young, unexperienced and soft
K. Thought he would get his way but JFK had set out a strong stance against communism in his first speech as president (he reference the human doctrine)
JFK refused to leave Berlin and inc. US defences spending by $3.5 billion Khrushchev retaliated by announcing that the soviet budget would be increased by more than 30%
How did Khrushchev interpret the construction of the Berlin Wall
He felt he had beaten JFK
The flow of refugees stopped
How did the Berlin crisis (Berlin wall) end
Tensions eased
Khrushchev problem of People leaving had eased
What did the Berlin Wall become a symbol of
Division in the world
It was a constant reminder for Berliners that they country was still a tool of the superpowers
When did JFK visit west Germany
1963
How big was JFKs crowed when he vistsed Berlin
200,000
Lots of applause (applause from other side of wall who were listening as well)
Consequences of the Berlin Wall for the SU
Khrushchev had to abandon plans to unite Germany
The wall Showed that the SU had to lock people into E Germany - given a choice many would move to the west
-
The wall stopped refugees leaving west
Wall sent a message that communist would survive in Berlin + would not be forced out
Consequences of the Berlin Wall for the USA
X
The SU had closed the boarder without consulting USA
People no longer able to escape communism in east
JFK shown that he could not be bullied by Khrushchev + would stand up to him
W Berlin became a symbol of freedom, + defiance against communism
Consequences of the Berlin Wall for international relations
X
Europe + especially Germany were now even more divided. Churchills ‘iron curtain’ speech now seemed a reality
The Berlin Wall was a powerful symbol of this divide + would not be taken down for another 30 years
Now Berlin (+ germany) were permanently divided tensions began to decrease. As JFK said. ‘A wall is better than a war’
Although it initaly inc tensions in the long run the Berlin crisis may have lessened them
What happened on 13th of august 1961
Khrushchev closed the boarder between east and West Berlin
The streets between east and west torn up by east Germany troops to pit a 43km barbed wire
What did USA and allies do about the new barrier erected in east Berlin
Nothing
What was added to the barbed wire between east and West Berlin
Wall
Chain fences
Mine feilds
Would shoot anyone who tried to cross
How big was the permanent wall
3.6m high
1.2m wide
Why was the Berlin Wall almost impossible to cross
Patrolling soldiers
Dogs
Floodlights
Trip wire machine guns
What did construction of the Berlin Wall lead to
USA disputed rights of SU troops to patrol + guard checkpoint + checking passports of American officials
How did America respond to the Berlin Wall
Stationed own tanks + troops on west side of checkpoints (Soviets placed troops on east side)
Meant a possibility of armed conflict
How did Kennedy try to avoid armed conflict during the tank stand of when the Berlin Wall was built
Promised Khrushchev that if SU removed troops so would us
Impact of the Berlin Wall on Germans
After Berlin Wall - escape was difficult some tried tunnelling, swimming in Berlin’s canal, jumping out of windows near wall , climb wall
Many lost their lives
Building wall meant peace was maintained but at a high price. Families were split
Germans felt let down as SU has broken 1949 agreement. JFK still has not gone to war
What was the importance of Cuba do USA
- Cuba is in close proximity to USA
- USA has invested a-lot in Cuban industries of USA Benefit. If they loose control of Cuba lots of investments gone
What happened in 1959 in Cuba
Cuban revolution
Socialist Castro overthrew Bastia
He wanted an end to American ownership to benefit the Cuban people
Us gov. Did not agree - Castro did it anyway