Topic 4 - Crises: Berlin Flashcards
Refugee problem in Berlin
Poor living quality in East Germany
3 million East Germans left for West Germany
Hard-working people left for WG
People overall prefer the West
What did Khrushchev want for Berlin
Decided that all of Berlin were to be East Germany, instead of being divided in 4 zones. He wanted the west to recognise EG as a country
Berlin Ultimatum
He demanded that:
Berlin should be demilitarised and the Western troops would withdraw
Berlin should become a free city
What would Khrushchev gain out of the ultimatum?
It would force the Western powers to talk to the Eastern powers of Germany, forcing them to accept East Germany as a legitimate country
What were the 4 summit meetings
USA and USSR believe it wasn’t worth discussing the Berlin matter over nuclear war, so they held meetings
Geneva, May 1959
No agreement was reached. Eisenhower invited Khrushchev to the USA for further talks
Camp David, September 1959
Still no agreement.
But Soviets did agree to withdraw the Berlin Ultimatum
It shows that there was better relations now between the two leaders. It was agreed further talks would be held in Paris.
Paris Summit, May 1960
HINT: FAILED CONFERENCE
Soviets shot down American U-2 spy plane as it flew over the USSR
USA lied about it being a weather balloon
Eisenhower did not apologise
Khrushchev walked out the meeting
No decisions were made
Well done, Eisenhower. 🤦
Vienna, June 1961
Khrushchev took a tough approach and renewed the Berlin Ultimatum 1958
Kennedy refused to make adjustments
Meeting ended with no decisions made
Kennedy vs Krushchev now!!
After Vienna, Kennedy spent $2 billion to protect the USA if war broke out
Building Berlin wall
East German troops built a barbed wire fence around Berlin and between East and West Berlin
Built a 165km concrete wall to solve the refugee problem
Impact of Berlin Wall
WB fire service tried to help people jumping
Booby traps, barbed wires, minefields, and car barriers all guarded by hundreds of lookout towers
Berliners could not visit their family
Troops instructed to shoot anyone making the attempt - 130+ people were killed
Wall’s Impact between East and West Germany
Outrage in WG - Worsened relations
But because refugees stopped going into WG, tensions were eased a little
Positive impact of the Wall on USA and USSR
Positive for the USA:
Khrushchev was forced to accept West control in WB + He can’t bully Kennedy anymore + West Berlin became a symbol of freedom against communism
Positive for USSR:
Wall stopped refugees leaving for the West. Communism would survive in Berlin and that any attempt to reunite Germany under Western control would fail
Negative impact of the Wall on USA and USSR
Negative for the USA:
Soviet Union had closed the border without consulting the USA
Negative for USSR:
Khrushchev had to abandon plans to unite Germany under Soviet control
Impact on Kennedy’s reputation
People loved him!! 😍 Ich bin ein Berliner!!!!! Yasss Kennedyyyy!!
