Unit 2.1 - The Berlin Crisis 1961 Flashcards
(14 cards)
Who was president of US in 1958?
Dwight Eisenhower
Why did some people start to leave East Germany as refugees?
East Germany received far less aid from the Soviet Union and suffered from a low standard of living and a shortage of goods.
Restrictions on what ordinary citizens could say and do and they were constantly monitored by the secret police.
West Berlin was a Western __________ in East Germany
ISLAND
Between 1949-61, around 2.7 million people moved from the East to the West. This was known as…
the brain drain, as educated professionals that would have better earning potential in the West fled.
What was Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum?
Berlin should be demilitarised and Western troops should be withdrawn.
Berlin should become a city with its own independent government - Khrushchev intended to take control of the entirety of Berlin.
6 MONTHS or… Khrushchev threatened to hand control of access to Berlin over to East Germany, which would effectively cut off the West’s access to West Berlin, unless Berlin became a free city within six months.
Why was the ultimatum seen as a clever move?
if Khrushchev did hand over control to East Germany, in order to access West Berlin, Western authorities would have to deal with Eastern authorities, thus acknowledging them as a legitimate country.
Why were summit talks necessary?
They were not prepared to go to war over the Berlin issue; so they decided to agree over talks.
Geneva Summit 1959 May
Khrushchev and Eisenhower - no agreement made
Camp David Summit 1959 September
Khrushchev and Eisenhower - Soviets agreed to withdraw Berlin ultimatum. Positive relations and discussions however no agreements made.
Paris Summit 1960 May
Khrushchev and Eisenhower - the Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 spy plane. Eisenhower gave excuses and refused to apologise which angered Khrushchev who walked out of the meeting and reinforced the ultimatum.
Vienna Summit 1961 June
John F Kennedy and Khrushchev:
Khrushchev incorrectly believed that the young JFK was inexperienced and easy to make an impression on.
Kennedy’s reputation was suffering at this point due to the failed Cuba invasion.
Khrushchev takes a strong stance and renews the ultimatum, hoping JFK would simply accept.
JFK however stood his ground and refused - tensions increased.
After the Vienna summit, it was made clear that Kennedy was prepared if war broke out as…
he invested 2 billion dollars in military
In August, as the highest number of refugees was reached, Khrushchev ordered…
for the Berlin wall to be built. Initially it was barbed wire - placed over night on 13th august.
