Workers uprising and Berlin wall

16th-17th June 1953

When was the uprising

Stalin died 5th march, lead to easing of Stalinist course

May GDR proposed 10% rise in productivity and hours to match FRG

Led to strikes yet rises reaffirmed on 13th June

Factors leading to the uprising (3 lines)

builidng workers in east Berlin protest, became general protest

Demands of democracy,reunification and ulbricht’s resignation

West Berlin radio station reported it and was heard across GDR

16th June events

100000 protestors West Berlin

Spread to 50 cities

200000-300000 protestors

events of 17th june

ulbricht declared a state of emergency

Soviet forces imposed marital law, had little resistance

20-50 fatalities

1300 put on trial and 2 got death penalty

Soviet action to break the uprising

only gave verbal support, Adenauer did nothing

western response to uprising

led to a party purge, 2 of ulbrichts critics removed from politburo

20000 SED officials removed and replaced by ‘party activists’

Highlighted the party’s failure to react and prevent unrest

Military strengthened, stasi to repress opposition

party response to uprising

slowe pace of socialism

Work increases withdrawn

Prices of basic foods lowered

Consumer goods introduced

Reduce tax and constraints on farms and business

concessions after the uprising (5 lines)

consolidate Ulbricht’s power as stepping down would be a concession

Establishment of one party state and mass organisations

GDR recognised by USSR in 1955 and joined Warsaw pact

Number of refugees declines in next 5 years

Significance of uprising

February 1956 Krushchev new USSR leader denounced Stalin’s terror methods

Riots in Poland and Hungary to leave the Warsaw pact

de-stalinisation (2 lines)

3000 died as soviets suppressed uprising 1956

Ulbricht learnt and increased party discipline

Working day shortened

21000 political prisoners released

effect of Hungarian uprising (4 lines)

his hardline leadership gave a degree of stability

After Pieck died, Ulbricht became the chairman of the Council of State- all encompassing powers

Ulbricht’s power

was an ‘isle of the imperialist enemy’ in a socialist state that provided an escape route

significance of berlin

Gave western powers 6 months to withdraw from Berlin and demilitarise

Ulbricht declared West Berlin as part of GDR territory

Tension heightened by 1960 U-2 crisis

Khrushchev’s ultimatum (3 lines)

JFK and Khrushchev june 1961, threat of war unless Berlin settlement , JFK still supported West Berlin

US and USSR meeting

april 1961, 30000 left

GDR refugees leaving pre-wall

‘Operation rose’ 12-13th august 1961

In the nigh, barbed wire and barricades

45km wall and 160 km perimeter

Described by the GDR as anti-fascist protection

Building the wall

protested but legally limited as it was on the Soviet zone

42 died 1962 trying to escape but number of refuges dropped

Showed success of magnet theory

Adenauer visited 22nd august

Brandt called for western help but didn’t get it

Prevent reuinificiation

western response to wall (6 lines)