IB History:The Cold War: The Berlin Crisis 1958-61

Summary

The script discusses the second Berlin Crisis from 1958 to 1961, a pivotal Cold War event. Following the division of Germany post-WWII, East and West Germany faced stark differences in governance and economy. East Germany's stagnation led to a 'brain drain' as educated citizens fled to the West. In 1958, Soviet leader Khrushchev demanded Berlin's demilitarization and threatened to cede control to East Germany, prompting US-Soviet summits. The U.S.'s new President Kennedy introduced 'flexible response' to communism. Despite tensions, the Berlin Wall's construction in 1961 ultimately eased Cold War conflicts by physically dividing East and West, symbolizing the ideological split and marking a significant chapter in Cold War history.

Takeaways

• 🇩🇪 The Berlin Crisis of 1958-61 was the second major crisis in the Cold War era, following the 1948-49 Berlin Blockade and Airlift.
• 🕊️ After the Berlin Airlift, Germany was permanently divided into West and East Germany, with Berlin itself maintaining a four-power occupation by the Soviet Union, the United States, Britain, and France.
• 🌾 East Germany faced economic stagnation due to forced collectivization and nationalization of industry, in contrast to West Germany's economic growth and democratic government, supported by the Marshall Plan.
• 🚫 The Soviet Union's suppression of the East German uprising in 1953 highlighted the stark differences between the two German states.
• 🧳 The migration of East Germans to West Germany, especially the educated youth, created a 'brain drain' and was a significant issue for the Soviet Union.
• 🗣️ In 1958, Khrushchev demanded that Berlin be demilitarized and become a free city, threatening to transfer control of access routes to East Germany if not met within six months.
• 🤝 High-level discussions between the United States and the Soviet Union took place, including a summit between Eisenhower and Khrushchev at Camp David in 1959.
• 🔄 The U2 crisis in 1960 disrupted further planned discussions between the US and the Soviet Union, leaving the Berlin issue unresolved.
• 🌐 John F. Kennedy's election in 1960 brought a new foreign policy approach, 'flexible response', which included increased spending on conventional forces and aid to anti-communist countries.
• 🏗️ In response to the continuous migration and lack of resolution, the Berlin Wall was constructed on August 13, 1961, to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West.
• 🛑 The Berlin Wall became a symbol of the Cold War division, separating families and friends until its fall in 1989, and marking a shift in Cold War tensions from Europe to Asia.

Q & A

What was the Berlin Crisis from 1958 to 1961?

The Berlin Crisis from 1958 to 1961 was the second major crisis in the Cold War involving Berlin, which led to the construction of the Berlin Wall. It began with the migration of East Germans, particularly the educated youth, to West Berlin, causing a 'brain drain'. This prompted Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to demand that Berlin be demilitarized and become a free city, threatening to hand over control of access routes to East Germany if his demands were not met.

How did the city of Berlin maintain its status post-World War II?

After World War II, the city of Berlin maintained its four-power occupation, with the Soviet Union occupying East Berlin and the United States, Britain, and France overseeing West Berlin. Despite the division of Germany into East and West, Berlin remained a symbol of the Allied powers' control and cooperation.

What economic and political differences were there between East and West Germany after 1949?

West Germany had a larger population, greater industrial output, and a democratic government. It also received substantial aid through the Marshall Plan. In contrast, East Germany experienced stagnation in agriculture and industrial production due to forced collectivization and nationalization of industry by the Soviet Union. There were no free elections in East Germany after 1946, and protests, such as the 1953 uprising, were suppressed by Soviet forces.

What was the significance of the Berlin Airlift in relation to the Berlin Crisis?

The Berlin Airlift in 1948-49 was the first Berlin crisis, during which the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in an attempt to force the Western Allies out. The Western Allies responded with a massive airlift to supply the city, which led to the end of the blockade and the permanent division of Germany. It set the stage for the later Berlin Crisis, which culminated in the building of the Berlin Wall.

What was Nikita Khrushchev's proposal regarding the status of Berlin in 1958?

In November 1958, Nikita Khrushchev proposed that Berlin should be demilitarized and become a free city, with no occupation from any power. He threatened that if this did not happen within six months, he would transfer control of the access routes to East Germany to the East German government, which could potentially close off West Berlin.

How did the U.S. and Soviet Union attempt to resolve the Berlin Crisis?

The U.S. and Soviet Union engaged in high-level talks and summits, including a meeting between President Eisenhower and Khrushchev at Camp David in the U.S. Future discussions were planned in Moscow, but these were halted due to the U-2 crisis in 1960. Despite these diplomatic efforts, the crisis escalated, leading to the construction of the Berlin Wall.

What was President John F. Kennedy's foreign policy approach to the threat of communism?

President Kennedy introduced a new foreign policy approach called 'flexible response', which involved more spending on conventional forces, continued growth of the nuclear arsenal, and ongoing aid to countries resisting communism. This approach aimed to provide a wider range of options between humiliation and all-out nuclear war, differing from Eisenhower's policy of massive retaliation.

Why did the Soviet Union and East Germany decide to close the border and build the Berlin Wall?

The closure of the border and the construction of the Berlin Wall were responses to the mass migration of East Berliners to West Berlin, which represented a significant 'brain drain' of educated individuals. The wall aimed to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West, thereby addressing the issue of population migration and stabilizing East Germany.

How did the Berlin Wall impact the city and its residents?

The Berlin Wall physically divided the city, separating families and friends. It became a symbol of the division between East and West and represented a failure of Soviet propaganda, as it was necessary to keep people from fleeing the communist world. The wall stood until 1989, when it was finally dismantled, allowing for the reunification of families and friends.

What was the role of the Berlin Wall in the broader context of the Cold War?

The Berlin Wall served to ease some tensions in the Cold War by physically closing off the greatest area of tension in Germany. It solidified the division of Germany and the city of Berlin, which in turn reduced the immediate threat of conflict over the issue of German reunification. However, it also shifted the focus of Cold War tensions from Europe to Asia.

How did the United States respond to the construction of the Berlin Wall?

The United States protested the construction of the Berlin Wall, viewing it as a violation of human rights and a symbol of communist oppression. However, despite the protests, the U.S. did not escalate the situation into a military conflict, recognizing the wall as a means to contain the migration issue and reduce the risk of a larger war.

What was the long-term significance of the Berlin Wall for the United States and the Cold War?

The Berlin Wall became a powerful symbol of the ideological divide between the East and the West during the Cold War. For the United States, it represented a propaganda victory for American ideals, as West Berlin remained a beacon of democracy and capitalism within the communist bloc. The wall's existence also underscored the ongoing struggle for freedom and the吸引力 (attractiveness) of the democratic system.

Outlines

00:00

🕊️ Berlin Crisis of 1958-61: The Prelude

The first paragraph introduces the second Berlin Crisis, which occurred between 1958 and 1961, distinct from the 1948-49 Berlin Blockade and Airlift. It provides historical context, highlighting the division of Germany into West and East following World War II, with West Germany's economic growth and democratic government contrasted against East Germany's stagnation under Soviet influence. The paragraph also discusses the migration of East Germans to West Germany, which became a significant issue for Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, who viewed West Berlin as a thorn in East Germany's side. The crisis began with Khrushchev's proposal to demilitarize Berlin and make it a free city, threatening to hand over control to the East German government if not complied with, although he later backed down from this ultimatum. The paragraph concludes with the ongoing migration problem and the beginning of discussions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

05:00

🏰 The Rise of the Berlin Wall: Dividing a City

The second paragraph details the escalation of the Berlin Crisis, leading to the construction of the Berlin Wall on August 13, 1961. It explains how the easy border crossings between East and West Berlin resulted in a significant 'brain drain' as educated East Germans migrated to the West. This prompted Khrushchev to take action, leading to the building of a wall that physically divided the city to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West. The wall, while not a complete blockade, was heavily guarded and became a potent symbol of the Cold War division between East and West. The paragraph also touches on the shift in U.S. foreign policy under President John F. Kennedy, who introduced the concept of 'flexible response' to counter communism, and how Khrushchev perceived this as a sign of weakness. The summary concludes with the wall's impact on easing Cold War tensions by resolving the migration issue, and its role as a propaganda victory for American ideals in West Berlin.

Keywords

💡Berlin Crisis

The Berlin Crisis refers to a series of events involving the city of Berlin and its political divisions during the Cold War. In the context of the video, it specifically addresses the second Berlin Crisis from 1958 to 1961. This crisis was a significant part of the larger Cold War narrative, highlighting the tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies over the future of Berlin and its divided political landscape.

💡Cold War

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies, the Eastern Bloc and the Western Bloc, after World War II. The video discusses the second Berlin Crisis as a pivotal event within this era, demonstrating the ideological and political struggles that characterized the Cold War.

💡Berlin Blockade

The Berlin Blockade was an event in the first Berlin Crisis from 1948 to 1949, where the Soviet Union blocked all access to West Berlin in an attempt to force the Western Allies to abandon the city. The video script mentions this to differentiate it from the later crisis and to provide historical context for the division of Berlin.

💡Berlin Airlift

The Berlin Airlift was a massive operation by the Western Allies to supply West Berlin with food, fuel, and other necessities during the Berlin Blockade. It is mentioned in the script to emphasize the historical significance of Berlin as a point of contention and to set the stage for the second Berlin Crisis.

💡West Germany and East Germany

Following World War II and the Berlin Airlift, Germany was permanently divided into two states: West Germany, which was democratic and economically prosperous, and East Germany, which was under Soviet control with a stagnated economy and no free elections. The video script uses these terms to illustrate the stark contrast between the two sides of divided Germany and the impact on the Berlin Crisis.

💡Brain Drain

Brain drain refers to the emigration of educated individuals from one country or region to another. In the video, it is mentioned that young and primarily educated East Germans were migrating to West Germany, causing a significant loss of talent and contributing to the tensions leading up to the second Berlin Crisis.

💡Nikita Khrushchev

Nikita Khrushchev was the leader of the Soviet Union during the second Berlin Crisis. The script discusses his role in escalating the crisis by demanding that Berlin be demilitarized and become a free city, and his subsequent threats and negotiations with the Western Allies.

💡Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a physical barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) starting in August 1961 to prevent East Berliners from fleeing to West Berlin. The video script describes the building of the wall as a response to the mass migration and as a symbol of the division between East and West during the Cold War.

💡Flexible Response

Flexible Response was a foreign policy approach introduced by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in response to the threat of communism. The video script explains that this policy involved increased spending on conventional forces and a continued growth of the nuclear arsenal, offering a broader range of options between humiliation and all-out nuclear war.

💡Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis is mentioned at the end of the script as a future topic, indicating another significant event during the Cold War. While not directly related to the second Berlin Crisis, it is a part of the broader context of Cold War tensions and conflicts between the superpowers.

Highlights

Introduction to the second Berlin Crisis (1958-61) and its distinction from the first crisis involving the Berlin Blockade and Airlift.

Post-WWII division of Germany into West and East German states, with Berlin maintaining a four-power occupation.

Economic and political differences between West and East Germany, with West Germany being more prosperous and democratic.

East Germany's stagnation due to forced collectivization and nationalization of industry.

The suppression of the East German uprising in 1953 by Soviet forces.

Migration of East Germans to West Germany causing a 'brain drain' and a problem for the Soviet Union.

Nikita Khrushchev's 1958 proposal to demilitarize Berlin and make it a free city without occupation.

Khrushchev's ultimatum to the Western powers regarding control of access routes to West Germany.

Summit meetings between Eisenhower and Khrushchev at Camp David and planned discussions in Moscow.

The U2 crisis in 1960 that halted further discussions between the US and the Soviet Union.

John F. Kennedy's election and his new foreign policy approach called 'flexible response'.

Kennedy's policy as a move away from Eisenhower's brinkmanship and massive retaliation.

Khrushchev's perception of Kennedy's policy as a sign of weakness and an opportunity to push for Soviet interests in Berlin.

The mass migration of East Berliners to West Berlin, reaching a peak of 40,000 in a single day in August 1961.

The closure of the border between East and West Berlin on August 13, 1961, leading to the construction of the Berlin Wall.

The Berlin Wall's purpose to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West and its impact on families and friends.

The Berlin Wall as a symbol of the Cold War division and a propaganda victory for American ideals.

The shift of Cold War tensions from Europe to Asia following the construction of the Berlin Wall.

Transcripts

okay we are back at it and today we're

going to talk about the berlin crisis

from 1958 to 61. now this is the second

berlin crisis uh in the cold war the

first one being in 1948 and 49 with the

berlin blockade and the berlin airlift

do not confuse the berlin blockade with

this later crisis that results in the

berlin wall

so we're going to start off with a

little reminder of what's been going on

in germany since 1949

it's permanently divided following the

berlin airlift with now a new west

german state and an east german state

with the city of berlin that's going to

maintain its four power occupation that

had been there since the end of world

war ii the soviet union occupying east

berlin the united states and britain and

france keeping an eye on west berlin

west germany since world war ii has got

a larger population it is economically

larger

there's greater industrial output

they have received millions of dollars

in marshall plan aid and they've got a

democratic government whereas in east

germany

the soviet union instituted forced

collectivization of their farms and

nationalization of industry this has

stagnated agriculture and

industrial production in east germany

there have been no free elections in

east germany since 1946

in 1953

the workers of east germany rose up in

protest of their working conditions and

their pay

and this would be suppressed by by

soviet tanks so we get a definitely a

tale of two germanies and this has

resulted in thousands of east germans

attempting to migrate into west germany

causing a problem that nikita khrushchev

characterized as the city of berlin

being a fish bone in east germany's

gullet this west berlin that was propped

up as a model for democratic and

capitalist

ideals is sitting right amidst the

soviet sector um and these the soviet

satellite state of east germany

in 1958 this crisis begins where easy

border crossings between east and west

berlin will lead to the migration of

young and primarily educated east

germans to the west resulting in what we

can call a brain drain of talented east

germans

in november of 1958 nikita khrushchev

will petition

his counterparts that berlin should be

demilitarized and become a free city

with no occupation whatsoever

he threatened that this needed to happen

within six months or he would give

control of the access routes to west

germany to the east german government

and at that point east german government

might just go and shut things down

khrushchev will ultimately back down

from this ultimatum but it did force a

conversation about berlin and those

conversations would take place in

summits that the united states and the

soviet union would have in 1959

eisenhower and khrushchev will meet in

camp david in the united states and

there were future discussions planned in

moscow but those ceased because of the

u2 crisis in may of 1960 all the while

east germans are continuing to flood

into west germany

now in november of 1960 there's a

presidential election in the united

states that brings the young and

comparatively inexperienced john f

kennedy into the presidency

and he rolls out a new foreign policy

approach to to the threat of communism

that he calls flexible response

more spending on conventional forces

continuing to grow our nuclear arsenal

and continuing to aid countries that

were resisting communism

this was seen as a move away from

eisenhower's brinkmanship policies of

massive retaliation

uh kennedy would argue that that we

would need a and wider choice between

humiliation and all-out nuclear war and

this was the flexibility in his flexible

response

khrushchev for his part sees this as

some weakness in hopes he can push on

the inexperienced kennedy to get what he

wants in berlin

but still the migrations continue

with no resolution to the berlin

question tens of thousands of east

berliners are continuing to move into

the west on one day alone in august of

1961 40 000 east berliners are moving to

the west and you can see this massive

graph

of tens of thousands hundreds of

thousands of east berliners moving to

the west

this ultimately pushes khrushchev and

east germany to close the border on

august 13 1961.

west berlin would then be surrounded by

initially barbed wire and later a

concrete wall that will lock east

berliners out of the west now this isn't

exactly a new berlin blockade there will

still be access points through rail and

and in road

into west berlin but these will be

heavily guarded by east german and

soviet troops

then a wall is constructed that becomes

known as the berlin wall

um this encloses west berlin but really

it is built to keep east berliners from

fleeing into west berlin and using that

as their exit out of east germany

for nikita khrushchev the building of

the wall was an admission that soviet

propaganda had failed the wall was

needed to keep people from fleeing the

communist world

for berlin it permanently divides that

city and this wall will separate

families and friends and they will not

be able to reconnect until the wall

comes down in 1989

it will however ease some tensions in

the cold war because just like the

berlin blockade and the berlin airlift

ultimately resulted in a divided germany

that solved the question of how do we

put germany back together again after

world war ii we just don't this berlin

wall is going to solve this new problem

how do you stop the migration from from

east berliners into west berlin you

build a wall and so now this greatest

area of tension is going to be closed

off in germany

americans of course will protest the

building of the wall but threats of

future conflict are going to ease and

we're going to see the cold war tensions

again move away from europe over to asia

again

and the wall will forevermore be a

symbol of the division between east and

west and for the united states this is a

propaganda victory for american ideals

in west berlin we'll see you next time

when we talk about the cuban missile

crisis