‘ The Relations Between Khr And Ken Were Marked More By Cooperation Than By Confrontation’ Flashcards
(4 cards)
Intro
The relations between khr and ken were marked more by cooperation than confrontation. There are multiple grounds to consider such as CMC, Vienna Conference 1961 and the Second Berlin Crisis. However, if we were to assess whether all these events had solvable tensions, more diplomatic measures and more dialogue than military aggression which would be very unlikely under Stalin, then undoubtedly, the relations between khr and Kennedy were marked more by cooperation than confrontation. Although we cannot ignore the unsettling tension and unease in the Cuban missile crisis because of the prospect of nuclear aggression, these tensions were reversible and de-intensified and even marked a prelude to detente. Likewise, the Vienna conference did threaten peaceful coexistence, but the fact that both leaders attended this conference is very telling of how both the east and the west wanted more dialogue and diplomacy. Similarly, we have to recognise the sig of the second berlin crisis because of khr’s sensitivity to the nuclear capacity of West Berlin, but these tensions were resolved by the Berlin Wall.
CMC
U2 spy plane captured images of missiles at san cristobal. This cemented the culture of mistrust which was escalated during the 13 day crisis where Kennedy said that there was a 1 in 3 chance of escalating to a hot war. 24th October soviet ships game of brinkmanship - dangerous bc broken blockade meant an act of war, even if it was accidentally broken- they were walking on thin glass. Major rudolf anderson killed- fair assumption that this provided a justification for the hawks and warmongers in excomm like McNamara to engage in a fuller airstrike or escalated attack. Telegram suggested that situation was ‘irreconcilable.’
Ca- listened to doves more. Opted for a softer navy blockade to buy time for negotiations rather than implementing a full or harsh airstrike. Prelude to detente - hotline, test ban treaty and nuclear non proliferation treaty.
Vienna 1961
Summit diplomacy threatened bc jfk was a staunch anti-com and reaffirmed the TD. Increased the defence budget, more flexible conventional forces, expansion vs nuclear arsenal and its Polaris submarine , no deal made about Berlin.
Ca- the fact that this conference existed and both leaders attended it showed a degree of cooperation and interest in building diplomatic relationships and dialogue.
Second Berlin crisis
West Germany member of nato- equipped with nuclear weapons
Khr was afraid that the USA put ICBMs in west Germany and Berlin to address their sensitivity to the ussr taking the lead in the arms and space race. Ich bin ein Berliner speech - Kennedy capitalised on the plight of estranged Berliners who wanted to move to the capitalist West Berlin- could be mocking khr’s brain drain and refugee crisis- political defeat and humiliation for the su
Checkpoint Charlie - 24hrstandoff
CA- Berlin Wall was a hell of a lot better than a war
Apparent tolerance made hallstein doctrine and irrelevancy
6 month ultimatum - diplomatic
Search for cooperation to the Berlin question in Vienna
