3.1 - The Second Berlin Crisis

Why did riots occur in East Berlin and East Germany in 1953?

Worsening economic conditions

What was the response to these riots?

They were put down by the Red Army

Why did people from East Berlin start to migrate to West Berlin?

To escape the laborious, strict life of the East for the free, open lifestyle in the Wesr

How much of the German population had migrated to West Berlin from 1945–1961

One sixth of the population

What were some demands that Khrushchev made in response to this efflux out of East Germany?

1) Proposed a peace treaty recognizing both Germanys

2) Demanded that Berlin be demilitarized and turned into a free city

Why did Khrushchev make these demands so suddenly?

1) Fear of West Germany acquiring nuclear weapons

2) Concern over failing East German economy

3) Pressure from leader of the GDR, Walter Ulbricht

Who replaced Eisenhower as American president in 1960?

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

What was the main difference between Eisenhower's foreign policy, “New Look”, and Kennedy's, “Flexible Response”?

Flexible Response omitted Brinkmanship

When did Khrushchev and Kennedy first meet?

At the Vienna Summit, 1961

How did the East German government respond to the immense emigration of people from East Berlin?

The establishment of a barbed wire fence between both Berlins

How did people continue to try and escape East Berlin?

1) Climbing over or through the barbed wire

2) Jumping from buildings on the border of both Berlins to enter the West

How did the East German government respond to the continued escape attempts?

The establishment of the Berlin Wall, surrounding all of West Berlin

Who was stopped at Checkpoint Charlie between East and West Berlin?

E. Allen Lightner, US Chief of Mission in Berlin

Why was this a problem?

It breached the agreement at the Potsdam Conference that Western and USSR officials can move freely between Berlin

How did the US respond?

Commander Lucius Clay moved a tank convoy near the border between East and West Berlin

How did the USSR response?

They also brought a tank convoy near the border

How was this resolved?

Kennedy and Khrushchev agreed they’d both back up their tanks little by little until they were away from the border

What did the Berlin Wall mean for Khrushchev?

1) An admission of failure (he needed a physical barrier to stop people from leaving the East)

2) More control over East Germany

What did the Berlin Wall mean for Ulbricht?

Consolidated power over the GDR

What did the Berlin Wall mean for the citizens or Berlin?

Splitting of friends and family, unsure if they’d ever meet again

What did the Berlin Wall mean for the Cold War overall?

Berlin (and Europe in general) was no longer a key issue due it being locked in place

What did Kennedy address in his speech to West Berlin?

1) Calling the West Berlin people to the front lines

2) Condemning the actions of the USSR and claiming them as an admission of defeat

What did the Berlin Wall represent?

The division, chaos, and hardship brought on by the Cold War