US attitudes to Germany and Berlin Flashcards
(24 cards)
what happened in January 1947?
the British and American occupation zones in Germany and Berlin were merged into a single zone known as Bizonia
what did the creation of Bizonia reinforce?
the indication that the USA was interested in creating a clearly defined West German state that was to become a leading force in the unification of an economically stable and united Western European bloc
what decision was made in February 1948?
to introduce a new currency into the Western zones of Germany and Berlin
when was the new currency formally activated?
June 1948
what was an immediate consequence of the introduction of the new currency?
the Soviet Union imposed a blockade on Berlin
what did the Marshall Plan suggest for Germany and Berlin?
that the USA recognised that a strong German economy was fundamental to the development of European economic recovery
what did the Marshall Plan represent?
a new understanding of the importance of Germany, and the Western zones of Berlin, in the economic recovery of Western Europe as a whole
what role had Germany now assumed for the USA?
a centrality in the USA’s relationship with Europe and a fundamentally important role in the Cold War relationship between East and West
what happened in November 1947?
Andrei Zhdanov referred to the USA’s intention to construct a ‘Western Bloc’ with Germany at its centre ‘as an American protectorate’.
What happened at the London Conference by June 1948?
the Conference reached the conclusion that Germany should have its own Constituent Assembly
what did the US State Department note about the London Conference?
‘the London agreements mark the first broad, constructive step toward the resolution of the German problem since Potsdam.’
which US policy-maker didn’t believe that the Marshall Plan would free the USA from a long-term dependency on it by the Western zones of Germany?
George Kennan
what was Kennan wary of?
that the USA was assuming a heavy burden of responsibility for the future development and success of Western zones economies
what would a divided Germany necessitate?
a long-term, and damaging, responsibility for the USA
For Kennan, what would be a more effective Germany for the USA?
a united Germany instead of a permanently divided one
what was apparent by March 1947?
moves by the USA towards the establishment of a divided Germany
why did the Moscow Council of Foreign Ministers break up?
they failed to reach any firm agreement on a final peace treaty with Germany
what happened by May 1947?
the USA had increased the responsibility of the Germans in Bizonia for their own economic development
what was made the responsibility of the Germans by September 1947?
Coal production
what view of policy makers in Washington was becoming increasingly clear?
that a divided was infinitely preferable to a united Germany that might become aligned with the Soviet Union
rationale of underpinning the thinking of rejecting the notion of a unified Germany (1)
a reunified Germany might become too powerful through the manipulation of the Western and the Eastern powers
rationale of underpinning the thinking of rejecting the notion of a unified Germany (2)
Germany might align itself with the USSR, particularly if the communist influence already present assumed greater force in a reunified Germany
rationale of underpinning the thinking of rejecting the notion of a unified Germany (3)
the extent of American influence could be undermined as Germany developed a degree of economic that would ensure US influence in Europe as a whole more easily
protectorate definition
a region or state that fall under the influence of another state, whose aim it is to ensure the safety of the state or region
