Short Essays

Compare Soviet decision-making during the Polish and the Hungarian crises in 1956

Hungary:

• Imre Nagy: departure from bloc (leaving Pact + neutrality)

• “Mikoyan Doctrine” — local force; NOT followed

• Full-scale invasion

• Hope: East Berlin Model

• NO tolerance for Soviet bloc deviation

Poland:

• Pragmatic approach: negotiation + flexibility

• Wladyslaw Gomulka: reassurance & compromise — popular among the people, accepted by Soviets

• Local force was used

Real and pseudo crises during the Cold War: describe the difference; list at least 4 cases in each category   

Real Crisis: tangible risk of military confrontation, a clash of interests BETWEEN the blocs, a change in the status quo & response, public level

• First Berlin Crisis (1948-49): Soviet blockade provoked Western airlift

• Second Berlin Crisis (1958-61): tested Western resolve against access

• Korean War (1950-1953); US & Chinese troops into open combat

• Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

Pseudo Crisis: tense but contained, intra-bloc

• East German Uprising (1953): swiftly suppressed by Soviet troops

• Polish Crisis (June & October 1956): challenged the internal Soviet bloc

• Hungarian Crisis (October-November 1956): challenged the internal Soviet bloc

• Suez Crisis (1956): exposed Western divisions

First Berlin Crisis

1948-49

• Soviet blockade provoked Western airlift

Second Berlin Crisis (1958-61)

1958 - 61

• Tested Western resolve against access

Korean War

1950-53

• US & Chinese troops into open combat

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962