pg 13 to 31: Spheres of interest, Marshall plan, Berlin Crisis, blockade and wall, NATO Flashcards
(28 cards)
The Berlin Crisis from 1949 to 1961
A period of significant tension and conflict surrounding the status and control of Berlin during the Cold War.
Agreements at Potsdam regarding reparations
- Each occupying power could remove reparations from their own zone (without sabotaging German economy).
- USSR to receive 10% of dismantled industrial equipment from Western zones (most industry in the West).
- USSR to exchange industrial equipment for food supplies (predominantly in the East).
Background of the First Berlin Crisis (by 1948)
- Cold War became a clearly defined diplomatic conflict (West vs. East).
- Major issue: German reunification.
- Yalta Agreement: Germany divided into four zones of occupation (no agreement on treatment).
- Soviet Union wanted a weak and divided Germany (due to past invasions).
- Other Allies believed a united Germany would stabilize Europe.
Western Allies’ response to food shortages and economic chaos (Western zones, 1948)
- Joined the three western zones within Germany.
- Reformed the German currency.
Stalin’s reaction to Western Germany’s economic recovery
Felt the Western Allies had gone against the terms of the Yalta Conference.
Berlin Blockade
Stalin cut off all road, rail, and canal links between West Berlin and West Germany to force Western powers to reconsider and gain control of Berlin.
Aimed to prevent import of provisions, food, and fuel. First ‘hot point’ of the Cold War.
Options for Western powers responding to the Berlin Blockade
- Ignore the blockade and drive through.
- Pull out of Berlin.
- Airlift supplies to West Berlin.
Western powers’ chosen response to the Berlin Blockade
Airlift supplies to West Berlin (Americans and British gambled the Soviets wouldn’t risk shooting down planes and starting a ‘hot war’).
Outcome of the Berlin Airlift
-Over 327 days, 277,000 flights airlifted 2.5 million tons of supplies.
-West Berliners supported the Western Allies.
-May 12, 1949: Soviets lifted the blockade (admitted defeat).
Consequences of the Berlin Blockade for the Cold War
-Western powers saw it as a victory; Soviets a defeat.
-Division of Berlin became permanent.
-Showed Western determination against communism.
-East-West relations further strained.
-Germany split into Federal Republic of Germany (West) and German Democratic Republic (East).
-Led to militarization of West Berlin and an arms race.
-Formation of NATO (1949) and Warsaw Pact (1955).
-Marked a major turning point and made Berlin a focal point of the Cold War.
1953 Anti-Soviet demonstrations in East Berlin
Workers protested for greater political/economic freedom, union with West Berlin, and an end to communism/Soviet troops after Stalin’s death. Spread to West Germany, harshly suppressed by Soviets. Highlighted differences between East and West, leading to more East Germans fleeing West.
1958 Berlin Crisis
Soviet leader Khrushchev demanded the West hand over Berlin to East Germany. Western powers refused, and Khrushchev did not enforce it. Showed Berlin remained a point of conflict.
The Berlin Wall (built August 13, 1961) - Reasons for building
To stop the flow of East Berliners escaping to the wealthier West Berlin (embarrassment to Khrushchev, who saw West Berlin as a capitalist ‘infection’).
Construction of the Berlin Wall
-Initially sealed off with roadblocks and barbed wire.
-Replaced by a high, fortified concrete wall (4 meters high, 150 km long).
-Manned 24/7 by machine-gun posts and searchlights.
-Divided Berlin, cutting off citizens.
Western Allies’ response to the Berlin Wall
Were surprised, protested but did not try to forcibly reopen the border.
East German explanation for the Berlin Wall
Claimed it was an ‘anti-fascist protection barrier’ against Western spying.
West German perspective on the Berlin Wall
Called it ‘the wall of shame’ - a prison wall to keep 17 million people inside East Germany.
Symbolism of the Berlin Wall
Famous symbol of the Cold War, the divide between West (democracy/capitalism, higher living standards) and East (communism, lower living standards, limited freedoms).
Consequences of the building of the Berlin Wall
-Physical division of Berlin, end of free access.
-Stopped flow of East Berliners to the West (many killed trying to cross).
-Increased tension between East and West.
-Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner!” speech (1963) boosted West German morale and showed US commitment.
-Strengthened message against the Soviet Union.
-Solved Khrushchev’s defection problem but damaged peaceful co-existence.
Who was to blame for Cold War tensions? (USSR perspective)
-West wanted Germany to recover (USSR wanted it crippled).
-Stalin tightened control in Eastern Europe for security.
-Disagreement over Poland.
-Soviet take-over in Eastern Europe.
-Left Red Army in ‘liberated countries’.
-Cominform to control Eastern European countries.
Who was to blame for Cold War tensions? (USA perspective)
- Interventionist policy against communism.
- Fear of communism led to persecution in the US.
- Marshall Plan motivated by self-interest.
- Truman’s strong anti-communist stance, less compromise.
- Atomic bomb seen as arrogant.
- Truman Doctrine to aid countries threatened by communism.
Factors contributing to Cold War tensions (Both USA & USSR)
- Increasing military spending (arms race).
- Two superpowers with totally opposing ideologies.
- Allies only united by hatred of Hitler (no common ground after).
- Secret telegrams contributing to mistrust.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) - Formation (April 1949)
Western defensive military alliance formed by the USA, Canada, and Western European nations (initially a military initiative by Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg in March 1948). Seen as mutual protection against Soviet threat.
Agreements of NATO member states
- Military co-operation.
- Fight only if attacked.
- Attack on one = attack on all.
- All members contribute
troops. - Use force to defend interests
in North Atlantic. - Joint NATO Command Organisation (Eisenhower first Commander-in-Chief).
