Cold War 1946-55 - Developments in Germany, 1949-53 + Death of Stalin

When was the division of Germany? What two countries was it split up into?

• In 1949, Germany was formally divided into two seperate countries — May 1949 - The FRG/West Germany was created; The GDR/East Germany created in October 1949

Worsening divisions between the FRG and GDR - What was the Hallstein Doctrine?

The Hallstein Doctrine was the FRG’s commitment to the reunification of Germany. It was key to the FRG’s post-war foreign policy. It stated that the FRG had the right to represent the enitr German nation and that the FRG would not maintain diplomatic relations with nations that recognised the GDR.
The GDR argued that this was imperialist and counter-revolutionary. The West’s refusal to recognise the GDR helped to deepen divisions between the two states and sustain Germany’s division.

What was Stalin’s ‘note’ in 1952?

March 1952 - West received note from Stalin that proposed the reuniting of the four occupation zones of Germany, arguing for a neutral, disarmed Germany within the borders that had been established at Potsdam as well as proposing a multi-party political system overseen by the four occupying powers. However, the West rejected the Oder-Neisse line as Germany’s eastern body and were against elections being monitored by the occupying powers.

Why might the West have rejected Stalin’s ‘note’? What different views are there on the possible intentions of Stalin’s ‘note’?

Fears that if Stalin succeeded in achieving a neutral, united Germany, Stalin would then try to expand Soviet influence over Germany and then further into Western Europe.
It has been suggested that Stalin knew the West would reject his offer, wanting negotiations with the West to fail so he could justify fully integrating the GDR into the Eastern bloc; It has also been suggested that Stalin did genuinely wanted a neutral, reunited Germany as the GDR was a burden on Soviet resources and by 1952, Stalin had drained the region of reparations.

What was Adenauer’s attitude to the note?

Viewed it as a deliberate attempt to undermine the FRG’s relations with the Western allies, maintaining that German reunification could only be possible once the FRG was strong and firmly established. He also felt that a reunited, neutral Germany would be unable to defend itself against further westward Soviet expansion.

What was the ‘economic miracle’ in the FRG?

During the 1950s, the FRG experience significant economic growth, which was described as an ‘economic miracle.’ Modern towns and cities were built, which was a stark contrast to the ashes and devestation of a decade pior. By the 1960s, it became one of the most successful Western economies and the third strongest industrial state.

What influence did Marshall Aid have on the FRG’s ‘economic miracle’?

Though the FRG received smaller amounts than other Western European powers, Marshall Aid created confidence in investments and helped with national stability which encouraged economic growth.

What other factors contributed to the FRG’s ‘economic miracle’?

The 1948 currency reform had stemmed irising inflation and policies were maintained to control inflation which contributed to confidence in FRG’s economy. It also stopped absenteeism from work as people now wanted to earn the new currency. The FRG also had an ample supply of raw materials and there was a constant supply of available labour, initially from the GDR and then later from Europe and Turkey - these guest workers were relatively cheap to employ.

What was the impact of remilitarisation of the FRG and membership of NATO on worsening divisions between the FRG and the GDR?

Compulsory rearmament began in the FRG in 1955, and they were admitted into NATO. The USSR responded with the Warsaw Pact, which the GDR joined — seperated Germany and Europe into two military blocs - Western German Army became the second largest force in NATO, with 350,000 soldiers — brought the armed forces of both Germanies in confrontation with each other across an ‘inner-German’ border. The fact that the two states were now militarily opposed, as well as economically and politically, significantly reduced any possibility of German reunification. Also reversal of initial agreements at the end of WW2 to ensure that Germany was demilitarised. When the FRG joined NATO, there were significant fears that nuclear weapons could be deployed in the FRG and pose a threat to the ‘other Germany’ - this faced hostility within the FRG

How might the death of Stalin in 1953 have impacted the Cold War?

Created fear and frenzy within the USSR’s politburo, particularly as Stalin died without naming a successor. Shifts the relations of the Cold War - not the same fear and intimidation surrounding them - unlikely that the harsh and ruthless nature of Stalin’s rule, not trusting anyone, would be able to be maintained.

What were the main causes of the 1953 Berlin uprising?

• Enforced socialism had led to a mass exodus of 447,000 people from 1951 to 1953, further devestating the economy

• Workers resented the low wages and high taxation, with the tax used to pay for armed border guards, as well as rising food prices

• The new leadership in the Kremlin encouraged the SED to ease the pace of industrialisation. Instead, Ulbricht ordered workers to increase their output, imposing new work quotas on industrial workers in June 1953, demanding higher production but with no improvement in pay

Events of the Berlin Uprising - How did the uprising in Berlin begin? What was being protested? How did the protests spread?

Construction workers in East Berlin went on strike to protest the new quotas but it became a more general strike as it quickly spread to more than 400 cities, towns and villages, embracing a large cross section of society - around 400,000 people. They also demanded more fundamental reforms, including the resignation of the government and free elections. Starting at the central union building, strikers moved to the governmnent buildings, calling for the removal of SED leaders, work councils and consumer goods.

Events of the Berlin Uprising - How did the SED, Ulbricht, and the USSR respond?

• Ulbricht asked the USSR to intervene to restore order

• The USSR was horrified by the situation, perceiving it as an aggressive rejection of communism. It responded by sending 200,000 Russian troops and 500 tanks to quickly crush the uprising and open fire on the strikers — at least 40 were killed and thousands more were injured or arrested.

• Of the 6000 that were arrested, at least 20 were executed and 500 received life sentences in prison

What were the major consequences of the Berlin uprising for the course of the Cold War?

Demonstrated to both the West and the Eastern satellite states that it was prepared to use force to ensure a communist government remained in control — directly opposite to the West’s democracy and freedom of speech - particularly important as it highlighted the extent of repression of life under communism, revealing the lack of unity between East Germany and its communist leaders as well as the USSR.
Many in East Germany hoped that the death of Stalin would bring reform and greater freedom but this hope was crushed.

What were the major consequences of the Berlin Uprising on East Germany?

• The USSR gave Ulbricht renewed support, who then took action against his political rivals who had defended the worker’s right to strike, allowing him to revert to his policies of political repression. The SED, national bloc parties and national organisations were purged.

• October 1954 elections - voters presented with a single list and 20 of the 28 ministries were given to members of the SED

• The Stasi was reformed and tightened control and supervision - any chance of radical change that many in East Germany had hoped of with the death of Stalin was crushed

Consequences - How did the events of the Berlin uprising lay the foundations for future uprisings in Eastern Europe?

Showed that the USSR would use excessive military force if there was any open declarations of opposition to communist rule, laying the foundations for future uprisings, such as those in Poland and Hungary.

Consequences - Who was elected in West Germany and what were his main policies?

Adenauer was elected as West Germany’s chancellor. He wanted West Germany to join NATO and prevent the USSR’s expansion into West Germany or Western Europe.