Notes
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The Refugee Problem
Berlin Blockade 1948-1949 - Failure for the USSR 1952 inner german border between the countries were sealed The border between West Berlin and East Berlin West Berlin developed rapidly: - High standards of - Living and freedom East Germany had the opposite: - Lack of job, poor wages, no consumer goods, forced collectivisation and no political freedom Refugees took advantage, between 1949-1961, 2.7 million people escaped to the West through the border Many refugees were highly skilled doctors, engineers, managers and scientists Khrushchev’s First Ultimatum Declared that whole of Berlin officially belonged to East Germany Demanded that USA had to withdraw its troops Berlin should be a “free city” administered by East Germany Einsenhower refused but didn’t want to start a war - Therefore agreed to hold an international meeting on Berlin’s future Lead to the Geneva and Camp David meetings in 1959 No solution appeared Agreed to hold further talks in 1960 The U2 incident - May 1960 May 1960, USSR shot down American U2 spy plane over Russia - Pilot Powers was captured Khrushchev used this incident to expose America’s spying programme to the world - Excellent propaganda for the USSR - Strengthened Khrushchev’s negotiating position Impacted 1960 Paris conference on Berlin - Khrushchev enraged by U2 incident - Demanded Eisenhower to punish leaders of the U2 programme - Eisenhower refused, Khrushchev walked out Khrushchev’s Second Ultimatum Vienna Conference 1961 - Khrushchev challenged the new US President Kennedy - Withdraw US troops from Berlin within 6 months or declare war JFK refused to remove troops - Started to prepare for war - Committing US government to an additional $3.2 billion of defence spending - $207 million on nuclear fallout shelters USA had more nuclear weapons than USSR Khrushchev forced to either declare war or back down - Backed-down but still had Berlin refugee problem to solve The Berlin Wall Refugee problem became serious East German President Ulbricbht demanded Khrushchev to do something - Otherwise he would use force to close border - Might risk war Khrushchev’s solution was to build a wall separating East and West Berlin - Solving refugee problem Night of 12th August 1961 - East German troops erected a barbed wire fence around whole of West Berlin - Over time brick wall was built Consequences of The Berlin Wall Tensions reduced - Refugee problem was solved - Reduced tensions - East Germany no longer feared a brain drain - Eastern Europe would no longer be exposed to attractions of capitalism Propaganda Victory for USSR - Allowed Khrushchev to avoid war - Still appeared strong Propaganda Victory for USA - Kennedy visited West Berlin in 1963 to show his solidarity - “Ich bin in Berliner” - Soviets had to wall people in to win Long-Term Causes Refugee Problems - 2.7 million escaped to West between 1949-1961 - Many were highly skilled (brain drain) - Attracted by high wages and freedom in West Berlin - East German government unpopular - Embarrassment to USSR West Berlin was positive propaganda for the West - Proved that capitalism was better - Could lead to unrest in Eastern Europe West Berlin was a base for Western spies since WW2 - Posed problems for the USSR and had to be dealt with Short-Term Causes U2 incident: May 1960 - Led to failure of Paris Conference on Berlin - Khrushchev walked out - Less willing to compromise over Berlin Failure of Khrushchev’s 2nd Ultimatum - Khrushchev gave JFK 6 months to leave West Berlin or declare war - Vienna conference 1961 - Kennedy’s refusal called Khrushchev’s bluff - Led to wall as alternative Pressure from East Germany - Ulbricbht pressured Khrushchev to make a decision - Suggesting that force would be used if USSR did nothing to stop refugee’s escaping |