8. The Crisis Years pt1, 1958-62

8

Name first three crises

Quemoy-Matsu, Berlin Ultimatum, U-2 & Paris summit

Context of Quemoy-Matsu

Small group of unenhabited islands off the Chinese coast, controlled by Taiwan. the PRC lead by Mao Zedong saw them as being rightfully Chinese owned. US pledged to support Taiwan in containing communism prior to this

Escalation of Quemoy-Matsu

1954: China threatens to take the islands from Taiwan, 1958, Mao Zedong begins shelling the islands, testing US resolve

Quemoy-Matsu and USSR

China was likely also testing the USSR as an effective ally who could come to their aid in the face of the US. Moscow does not do this, which triggers the change in dynamics across the region as China changes from a Soviet subordinate to a potential rival

Context of Berlin Ultimatum

US and Uk still had spies in Belrin ten years after the Blockade was lifted. brain drain was occurring from E to W germany/Berlin as professionals sought better lifestyle

Escalation of Berlin Ultimatum

1958, Krushchev gives the West 6m to leave Berlin or war. US will not negotiate under ultimatum so they wait

UK’s concern in berlin

Harold McMillan visits Eisenhower and informs him only 8 bombs would be needed to destroy the UK. He is more concerned due to a small nation

Resolution of Berlin

The concern in the UK gave Eisenhower reason enough to negotiate under ultimatum. Vienna summit avoids WW3

Context for U2 incident

US ran a long programme of photo recon using U”s over the USSR. They had agreed to end the programme on 1st May 1960. This was a few days prior to the planned Paris Summit

Escalation of U2

The final flight was shot down and the pilot captured and interrogated. US suspected the pilot had killed himself as the USSR did not declare him as a POW. Krushchev reveals the captee and demands retribution

Effect of U2 crisis

Nothing is achieved at the Paris summit