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.