Summary of key topic 2 of GCSE Edexcel Superpower relations covering the Berlin Crisis (1961), Cuban Missile Crisis, and Czechoslovakia (Prague Spring Reforms, 1968). Key detailed notes with all necessary information to get full marks. Written by a GCSE grade 9 student who achieved full marks in hi...
The Berlin Crisis, 1961
problems in Germany/Berlin pre-1958:
Division of Berlin in 1945
Berlin Crisis of 1948-49/Berlin Airlift
West Germany joining NATO, 1955
West Germany joining European Economic Community, 1957
Reasons for tension in Berlin, 1958-61
Refugee problem in Berlin
4 million East Germans fled to the West. The Soviet/Communist way
1949-61 was unpopular. Moreover the shortage of consumer goods and these
could be bought for cheap in West Germany.
number of refugees increased rapidly to 20,000/month. Many were
professionals and skilled craftsmen so this drain of labour and
Jan 1961
economic output threatened the economic collapse of E Germany.
Berlin was a gap in the Iron Curtain.
Khrushchev’s Berlin ultimatum, 1958
Key Topic 2 - Cold War Crises 1
, 1958, Khrushchev accused the Allies of breaking Potsdam agreements, telling
them they should leave Berlin in six months so that Berlin could become a neutral
free city.
Eisenhower was prepared to negotiate not wanting war. Khrushchev visits USA in
1959 and hopes for a summit meeting.
Paris Summit, May 1960
Khrushchev and Eisenhower set to meet in Paris, 14 May 1960.
9 days prior, the USSR shot down an American U-2 spy plane (arms race) near a
Soviet city. The pilot was captured and put on trial. Khrushchev demanded these
flights stop and an apology for spying. Eisenhower willing to stop flights but not
apologise.
Khrushchev walked out of preliminary meetings and Eisenhower’s visit to the
USSR cancelled. Summit did not take place.
Vienna Summit, June 1961
Newly elected president JFK who re-asserted the Truman Doctrine.
Khrushchev demanded that western forces leave West Berlin threatening a treaty
with E Germany to end all occupation rights inc Western access to Berlin. JFK
refused and increased US defence spending by $3.5 billion. In July, Khrushchev
increased defence budget by 30%.
Construction of the Berlin Wall, 1961
13 August:
Khrushchev closed East-West Berlin border with a 27 mile long barbed wire
fence. Within a few days the Wall was erected with chain fences and minefields.
A new wall 3.6m high and 1.2m wide was impossible to climb. Also dogs and
soldiers patrolled, trip-wire machine guns.
USA did nothing.
Impact of the Wall on US-Soviet Relations
A serious stand-off in Oct 1961.
Key Topic 2 - Cold War Crises 2
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller rachelchan1680. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £2.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
