Cirisis years prt 1 Flashcards
(10 cards)
What happened with Quemoy and Matsu in 1958?
In 1958, China threatened to take the Quemoy and Matsu islands, claimed by Nationalists.
The U.S. responded with the possibility of nuclear strikes, signaling the start of a tense confrontation over the islands.
How did the U.S. respond to China’s threats on Quemoy and Matsu?
The U.S. decided to defend the islands, considering nuclear war as the only option if China invaded.
Tensions eased when compromise talks took place in Poland, leading to the islands being demilitarized, though both sides remained dissatisfied.
What was the Berlin Ultimatum of 1958-59?
khrushchev gave a 6-month ultimatum for the Allies to leave West Berlin, causing tension between the East and West.
This was a diplomatic move by Khrushchev to test the U.S. and NATO’s resolve, with fears of WW3 looming.
How did the U.S. and UK respond to the Berlin Ultimatum?
Eisenhower refused to negotiate under ultimatum, and the UK feared the risk of nuclear war.
Harold Macmillan visited the White House, discussing the nuclear threat, and the U.S. promised to act with NATO approval.
What was Khrushchev’s goal in the Berlin Ultimatum?
Khrushchev did not want war, but hoped to test U.S. resolve without risking a direct conflict.
Negotiations meant avoiding embarrassment for the USSR while not backing down on Berlin.
What happened at the Paris Summit in 1960?
Khrushchev aimed to win the Cold War peacefully, but U2 spy plane tensions escalated.
After the U2 plane was shot down over the USSR, the U.S. admitted responsibility, but Eisenhower did not blame the CIA, which angered Khrushchev.
What impact did the U2 incident have on U.S.-Soviet relations?
The U2 incident led to a collapse in relations between the U.S. and the USSR, ruining the potential for peaceful coexistence.
Khrushchev felt mocked by Eisenhower’s handling of the incident, leading to the Paris Summit’s failure.
What was Khrushchev’s impression of the U.S. during the Paris Summit?
Khrushchev was shocked by the wealth and technological advancements in the U.S., highlighting the stark economic contrast between the East and West.
This made him aware of the challenges the USSR faced in competing with the U.S.
How did the U2 incident affect Eisenhower’s legacy?
The U2 incident marked a major point of tension in the Cold War, and Eisenhower left office without a major agreement with the USSR.
This event was a turning point in the Cold War and set the stage for the 1960 election.
What was the significance of the 1960 U.S. presidential election?
John F. Kennedy accused Richard Nixon of being weak on the Cold War and failing to confront the USSR.
This accusation became a point of regret for Kennedy, as the Cold War tensions deepened after the election.
