6.1 A & B Berlin: A Divided City

Question 1

When was the Berlin Wall constructed?

Answer 1

1961

Question 2

What did Khrushchev say about the Berlin Wall?

Answer 2

Berlin is the testicle of the West, when I want it to scream I squeeze Berlin

Question 3

What was the problem with the previous divided Berlin?

Answer 3

• The division of Berlin in 1945 had been a compromise. The west couldn’t accept the capital under the control of the USSR
  -West Berlin was known as an island of Western influence
• It was a strategic and symbolic victory for the West

Question 4

What was the problem with West Berlin for the Soviets?

Answer 4

• Causing them economic concern as the West Berliners had freedoms and luxury goods
• The border between East and west wasn’t open but movement was permitted and many East Germans took advantage by defecting over to the West

Question 5

How many Germans went to the west?

Answer 5

By 1960 3 million had gone west. This had a huge affect on the industry.

Question 6

Political asylum def

Answer 6

Leaving communist country to go to capitalist country

Question 7

Who succeeded Eisenhower?

Answer 7

J F Kennedy

Question 8

What was Kennedy view on Communism?

Answer 8

He was a democrat and promised to be tough on communism, he had an optimistic view of the future. Youngest president, Khrushchev saw this as an opportunity

Question 9

What was the Vienna Summit?

Answer 9

When Kennedy met Khrushchev for the first time to repair relations. Berlin was a major discussion, Kennedy was determined to keep it Capitalist. Little was achieved in this meeting

Question 10

When was the Vienna Summit

Answer 10

3-4 June 1961

Question 11

How long was Berlin divided for?

Answer 11

30 years

Question 12

Why was the wall built?

Answer 12

-To prevent spies
- East Germany was losing to many educated people to the west, a way of keeping them in and preventing them seeing what the west was like

Question 13

When did the building of the wall take place and what happened?

Answer 13

• 13 August 1961 East German troops lined the border, no East Berliners were allowed to pass
• Barbed wire was put up and trains couldn’t cross the border, split cemeteries in 2
• Border was closed and a concrete wall was built around West Berlin

Question 14

How did people get in and out of West Berlin with the wall?

Answer 14

Through Checkpoint charlie

Question 15

How did Kennedy respond to the wall?

Answer 15

• US military command couldn’t respond till they had instructions
• Kennedy was not told till mid morning
• He decided as long as travel between West Berlin and West Germany was possible no action would be taken
• They sent an official complaint to Moscow