Week 10- Khruschev Berlin

Question 1

What decisions showed Khrushchev’s changeable nature from 1957-1961?

Answer 1

• he took seriously what scientists said about the dangers of continuing to test nuclear weapons in the atmosphere and announced a moratorium on such experiences in 1958
• however at the end of 1958 he also gave an ultimatum to the UK, Britain and France: withdraw your troops from West Berlin- considered a weak point that the Soviets could easily target.
• The idea of a capitalist enclave in the middle of communist East Germany was not liked by the soviets, and the American win over Stalin’s blockade in 1958 still caused anger.
• Khrushchev was reported to have told Mao- “Now that we the transcontinental missile, we hold America but the throat as well. They thought America was beyond reach but that is not true.”
• yet he also wanted to develop a more stable superpower and equal relationship with the U.S.
• Khrushchev rejected a proposal from Eisenhower to allow the UK & Soviet Union to allow reconnaissance missions over each others territory. Khrushchev complained it would have been like “seeing into our bedrooms”. (Or seeing he did not actually have the nuclear capability he claimed he did!)

Question 2

How did Eisenhower respond to the demands on withdrawing troops and occupation of West Germany?

Answer 2

Eisenhower refused to agree to any demands on withdrawing troops and occupation of West Germany- but he did invite Khrushchev to the U.S. for a tour and diplomatic talks- showcasing Khrushchev as a new kind of leader- but the U.S. were unsure if this made him more or less threatening.

Question 3

What did the U.S. do after the Soviet Union rejected a proposal to allow reconnaissance missions over their territory?

Answer 3

The U.S. did it anyway with the U2

Question 4

What were the findings of the U2?

Answer 4

• limited size and inferior capability of Soviet long-range bomber force
• improved anti-aircraft missile
• Soviets shoot down a U-2 flight and capture the pilot ( May 1960)
• Khrushchev reacts with hostility and anger
• same year in the U.S. presidential election the young, charismatic JF Kennedy is elected

Question 5

Describe Khrushchev’s Stance from 1957-1961?

Answer 5

From 1957-1961, Khrushchev alternated between blood-curdling threats to annihilate the west with nuclear war to claiming to want “ peaceful coexistence”