‘ Throughout The Years 1949 To 1961, The Question Of Berlin Was The Primary Driver Of East-west Tensions.’

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

The question of berlin was not the primary driver of east-west relationships throughout the years 1949-61. There are multiple grounds to consider such as the Berlin crises, peaceful coexistence and the arms and space race. However, if we were to assess which event created irreversible and irreparable tensions, ossified divisions and did not prevent the spike of unease, then undoubtedly, it was the arms and space race that was the driver of east-west tensions. We have to recognise the significance of the question of Berlin because it set the style of every soviet American flashpoint that was to follow, but the tension was reconciled and minimised by the creation of the Berlin Wall. Likewise, peaceful coexistence did to some extent present an irreparable and lingering unease in the Paris and Vienna conference, but the fact that summit diplomacy simply existed is very telling of efforts for dialogue and diplomacy. Therefore, it was the arms and space race which was the primary driver of east-west tensions because the proliferation of weapons did increase the spike in unease which ossified divisions and was irreparable up to this point.

Question 2

1. Berlin question

Answer 2

Was a persistent flashpoint in the Cold War. The Berlin blockade rapidly ended cooperation when Stalin ordered that land access to Berlin be closed to alllied forces which was the latest example at this point of the unwillingness to abide by agreements made in Tehran, yalta and Potsdam. Moreover, the second Berlin crisis led to spike of unease and accelerated tensions because of khr’s sensitivity to the nuclear capacity of West Berlin that would inevitably harm his sphere of influence. NATO- armed with weapons.

Ca- operation rose and construction of the Berlin Wall was a better alternative to war. Even Kennedy said that a wall is a hell of a lot better than a war. Minimised tensions and the apparent western tolerance of the wall showed a degree of recognition of the gdr whereas before in the hallstein doctrine they refused to. 6 month ultimatum was more diplomatic and did not immediately use force to force the allies out.

Question 3

Peaceful coexistence

Answer 3

Events in 1956 would challenge summit diplomacy because in Paris U2 spy plane was shot down and showed the failure of the Geneva conference , blamed open skies- irreversible tensions and culture of mistrust did not prevent the spike in unease. Viennna JKF reaffirmed the Truman doctrine and threatened PC.

CA- not be too pessimistic about this because PC was a tp in the cw and a prelude to detente. Austrian state treaty paved the way for summit diplomacy- the west and east can come to a decision, illustrated that ideological differences was not irreconcilable but can work together. Camp David- wider historical advancements in the Cold War and ‘spirit of Geneva’ exchanged cultural difference = more friendly and diplomatic relationships.

Question 4

Arms and space race

Answer 4

Created irreversible tensions and ossified divisions because of the battle of firsts. This created another outlet for competition and victory that led to spike in unease and accelerated tensions. The USA’s fear of losing their nuclear monopoly after the Gaither report that predicted a 100-30 lead in favour of the ussr in terms of ICBMs and Washington post referring the USA to a second class power. Soviets catching up ss-6 and 7 and dropped their first airborne h bomb that was 100 times more powerful than their first attempt. Culture of spying very pronounced during this and was a further incentive to construct the HUAC such as klaus Fuchs, suspected Rosenberg that fuelled the red scare hysteria and the u2 incident in 1960 where Gary powers was shot down. New technology created unprecedented fears and tensions because Sputnik and Sputnik 11 and yuri gayavin fundamentally undermined the effectiveness of the massive retaliation strategy that was so central to the USA’s cw nuclear program defence program such as SCAP. Despite ‘military ind complex’, still invested $1 billion. After American advancements, led to soviet operation Anadyr to reduce missile gap and to redress the imbalance - nuclear proliferationwas never going to end

CA - this could be traced back to Potsdam which set the tone for militarisation