[14] Berlin Wall

Why was the Berlin Wall built regarding Brain Drain

Between 1949 and 1961, around 2.7 million East Germans escaped to the West, causing an economic crisis.

When was the Berlin Wall built

August 1961

Why was the Berlin Wall built regarding the Berlin Ultimatum

In Summit #4 in Vienna, June 1961, Khrushchev reissued the Berlin ultimatum, seeing Kennedy as inexperienced after the Bay of Pigs disaster. This led to the construction of the Berlin Wall to ease tensions between the US and USSR.

What was the Berlin Ultimatum?

Khrushchev demanded that the Western Allies withdraw from West Berlin within six months effectively placing it under East German control. If the West refused, the Soviet Union threatened to sign a separate peace treaty with East Germany, giving it control over access routes to West Berlin.

What were the impact of the Wall?

Increased tensions between the US and USSR

192 people were killed on the Berlin Wall

When was the wall built?

West reaction to the Berlin Wall

The U.S. sent additional troops to West Berlin to reassure its citizens.

In August 1961 there was a tense standoff at Checkpoint Charlie, where U.S. and Soviet tanks faced off for 16 hours before both sides backed down.