Crises of the Cold War Flashcards
(15 cards)
What were the causes of the Berlin Ultimatum
Why did tension increase over Berlin, 1958-61?
Between 1969 and 1961, about 4 million East Germans fled to the West, through Berlin. Khrushchev wanted the removal of the West from Berlin as Western Berlin was symbolic of western prosperity and success within communist territory.
West Germany created anxieties for Khrushchev. In 1955 it joined NATO and in 1957 the European Economic Community. West Germany was both economically stronger and a military threat to the USSR.
The Soviets argued that they needed to control movement in and out of Berlin to combat espionage.
What was The Berlin Ultimatum and what year was it in?
In 1958, Khrushchev issued an ultimatum. He accused the Allies of breaking the Potsdam agreement, claiming the USA and its Allies used West Berlin as a base for espionage. He demanded all Allied forces leave Berlin within 6 months.
What were the summit meetings between 1959 and 1961 to resolve the Berlin Ultimatum?
Geneva, May 1959: No solution to the Berlin crisis was agreed however a further summit was organised at Camp David in the USA.
Camp David, Sept 1959: Both Eisenhower and Khrushchev were present and disarmament was discussed but no solution was agreed.
Paris Summit, May 1960: This summit was a disaster. Khrushchev stormed out as the Soviets had shot down a US spy plane over Russia. Khrushchev demanded all such flights stop and for an apology but Eisenhower refused. Relations worsened.
Vienna Conference, Jan 1961: Neither Kennedy or Khrushchev were willing to stand down. Khrushchev saw Kennedy’s inexperience as weakness and reissued the ultimatum.
When was the Berlin wall built an why?
Overnight on the 13th August 1961, East German troops erected a barbed wire fence around the city as Khrushchev’s solution for halting refugees from leaving the East. The fence gradually became a heavily guarded concrete wall. Tanks were deployed to stop Western access to the East. by the end of October 1961, West Berlin was completely cut off from East Germany.
What were the consequences of the Berlin Wall?
The construction of the wall led to a standoff between the superpowers. Tanks and soldiers were arrayed on either side with the real possibility of war.
The construction meant peace had been maintained but at a high cost for the Germans. Defecting became a lot harder, with many losing their lives, and German families were split up.
In 1963, Kennedy conducted a visit to West Berlin were he spoke many speeches and was met with applause by everyone, including East Berliners.
What was the Cuban Revolution, 1959, and what did it lead to?
In 1959, Fidel Castro led a successful revolution against the unpopular and repressive, US-backed, military dictator of Cuba; General Batista. Castro desired independence from the USA and confiscated all US property in Cuba.
In response, the USA banned the import of Cuban sugar, threatening to bankrupt the Cuban economy.
The US refused to acknowledge Castro’s government due to its links to communism and in return Castro moved his government closer to that of the USSR. The USSR in turn offered to buy Cuban sugar and provide machinery and technological help.
What were the events of the Bay of Pigs incident, April 1961?
The CIA failed to assassinate the leader of Cuba, Castro. The CIA convinced Kennedy that a US-backed invasion of Cuba, designed to overthrow Castro would solve the problem - this was a failure. The US planes were recognised, photographed and published - the world knew that the USA had backed the invasion. The invasion was on a budget of $45m and was made of exiles who left Cuba in 1959 and were trained by the CIA.
Castro knew about the invasion in advance and 1,400 US-backed troops met 20,000 of Castro’s troops. The US-backed troops surrendered. December 1962, Prisoners released after %53m worth of food and medicine given to Cuba by ordinary US citizens.
What were the events of The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962?
16 October: Kennedy is informed US spy planes have found missile sites on Cuba.
18-19 October: Kennedy consults with advisors. The “Hawks” want to attack, the “Doves” want to avoid war and negotiate with the USSR.
20 October: Kennedy imposes a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent the arrival of Soviet missiles.
21 October: Kennedy makes an address to the American people informing them of the threat and his response.
23 October: Khrushchev sends letter to Kennedy that Soviet ships would force their way through the blockade.
24 October: Khrushchev issues statement insisting his willingness to use nuclear weapons in the event of war. Khrushchev ordered ships to stop and await further instructions.
25-26 October: Kennedy wrote to Khrushchev asking him to withdraw his missiles. Khrushchev replies agreeing if the US promises not to invade Cuba and withdraw its missiles from Italy and Turkey.
27 October: A US spy plane is shot down. Kennedy proposes for the US to withdraw missiles within 6 months, if it was kept secret.
28 October: Khrushchev agrees to the deal with Kennedy and the US promises to not invade Cuba and withdraw its missiles.
What were the consequences of The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962?
The superpowers had almost gone to war; a war that would have destroyed much of the world. The crisis did lead to better relations.
A hotline waas set up between The White House in Washington D.C. and the Kremlin in Moscow.
Treaties: The Limited Test Ban Treaty, 1963 both superpowers agreed to stop testing nuclear weapons above ground and underwater. Outer Space Treaty, 1967; Space is used for peaceful purposes and not to place nuclear weapons into orbit. Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, 1968; designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
Relations improved and the USA began to sell grain to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union also began to close the missile gap.
What were the causes of the Soviet invasion of Czechosolvakia, 1968?
Causes of the Prague Spring; In the 1960s, opposition to Soviet control was growing in Czechoslovakia for several reasons:
Novotny had been the leader of Czechoslovakia since 1957. He was a hard-line communist who was very unpopular and refused to introduce reforms.
The Czech ecnomy was declining in the 60s, leading to a fall in the standard of living. Novotny’s economic reforms were unsuccessful.
People demanded greater democracy. In October 1967, a number of reformers, including Alexander Dubcek, challenged Novonty;s leadership at a meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party.
What were the Prague Spring reforms, 1967?
Dubcek was appointed the new leader of Czechoslovakia and introduced a new series of reforms in 1967 which were called the “Prague Spring”. The reforms were:
- Greater political freedom; freedom of speech and no press censorship.
- Introductionof some capitalist elements; A ten-year programme to bring about democratic elections to create a new form of democratic socialism.
- Travel restricions removed and fresh contact with the West; trde with West Germany.
- Powers to secret police to arrest without trial reduced; more power to regional governemnents and the Czech Parliament.
- Production of new literature supporting the changes.
- Creation of works councils representing th workforce to improve conditions. Increased rights for trade unions.
These reforms, however encouraged the growth of opposition to communism and demands for even more radical reform.
How did the Soviets re-establish control of Czechosloavkia in 1968?
The Soviet Union grew suspicious of the changes taking place in Czechoslovakia and Brezhnev was worried they would leave the Warsaw Pact and join NATO, effectively advancing the frontier of NATO 700 miles. Brezhnev also came under pressure from other Warsaw Pact members in Easst Germany and Poland to stop the reforms.
20-21 August 1968, 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops entered Czechoslovakia. Many Czechs resisted, throwing petrol bombs at the tanks, tearing don street signs and erecting barricades. Buildings were set on fire and protesters assembled in Wencesla Square.
Dubcek and the other leaders were arrested, taken to Mosco, and forced to accept the end of the Czech moves towards democracy.
Over the next few years,hard-line officials replaced the Czech leaders; Dubcek was replaced by Gustav Husak.
Demonstrations against the Soviet invasion went on until April 1969. In January 1969 Jan Palach, a student, set fire to himself in Weceslas Square.
What were the consequences of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, 1968?
Some Warsaw Pact countries began to move away from Moscow.
This temporarily worsened relations. The West, especially the US and UK protested the Soviet actions, yet did nothing else. The USA was preoccupied with the Vietnam war and Western European countries followed the lead of the US.
Other Communist parties were outraged.
As justification for the invasion, Brezhnev created the Brezhnev Doctrineto redefine communism as a one-party state with all members of the Warsaw Pact having to remain.
Demonstrations in Czechoslovakia continued till April 1969.
What was The Brezhnev Doctrine and why was it created?
The Brezhnev Doctrine was created in 1968 by Brezhnev as justification for the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. It redefined communism as a one-party state and that all meber countries had to remain part of the Warsaw Pact. The doctrine said the Soviet Union had the right to invade any country in Eastern Europe whose actions appear to threaten the security of the Eastern Bloc.
