Global History 12 Berlin Wall

What they wanted The West Prevent USSR from gaining control of East Germany Prevent USSR from gaining control of East Germany To see a united, democratic Germany To see a united, democratic Germany The East Maintain control over E Germany Maintain control over E Germany Make the West recognise it as an independent state Make the West recognise it as an independent state Stop the flood of refugees especially the skilled and professional ones – much needed in E Germany Stop the flood of refugees especially the skilled and professional ones – much needed in E Germany

Events of 1961 June-Vienna Summit June-Vienna Summit Khrushchev pressured new American President John F Kennedy Khrushchev pressured new American President John F Kennedy Demanded withdrawal of Western forces from West Berlin – Kennedy refused Demanded withdrawal of Western forces from West Berlin – Kennedy refused July – Western powers reject Khrushchev’s Vienna demands July – Western powers reject Khrushchev’s Vienna demands July 23 – Flow of refugees from East to West = 1000 a day July 23 – Flow of refugees from East to West = 1000 a day July 25 – Kennedy repeats support for West Berlin and announced increase in arms spending July 25 – Kennedy repeats support for West Berlin and announced increase in arms spending

Events cont’d August – Khrushchev and East German govt. orders barbed wire barrier across Berlin, followed by a wall of concrete blocks August – Khrushchev and East German govt. orders barbed wire barrier across Berlin, followed by a wall of concrete blocks All of West Berlin encircled apart from access points All of West Berlin encircled apart from access points This was against the Four Power agreement reached in Paris on 20 June This was against the Four Power agreement reached in Paris on 20 June 1949.

Did Kennedy really mind the wall? He had protected West Berlin and he never promised to protect East Berlin?

Results Important results for Berlin, Germany and the Cold War Important results for Berlin, Germany and the Cold War Berlin was divided, free access ended between East and West, many families split, many attempted to escape to the West-between 1961 and 1989, anywhere from people died trying to cross the Berlin Wall Berlin was divided, free access ended between East and West, many families split, many attempted to escape to the West-between 1961 and 1989, anywhere from people died trying to cross the Berlin Wall

Results cont’d Kennedy accepted the Soviet action. He refused to use US troops to pull down the wall to avoid war. Kennedy accepted the Soviet action. He refused to use US troops to pull down the wall to avoid war. Kennedy looked weak but West turned it into propaganda – why if Communism was so attractive was a wall needed? Kennedy looked weak but West turned it into propaganda – why if Communism was so attractive was a wall needed? 1963 – Kennedy visited West Berlin – pledged continued support – ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ (I am a Berliner) – famous speech 1963 – Kennedy visited West Berlin – pledged continued support – ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ (I am a Berliner) – famous speech Khrushchev lost face by failing to remove the West from Berlin Khrushchev lost face by failing to remove the West from Berlin YouTube - The Berlin Wall (extract from BBC and CNN Series Cold War) YouTube - The Berlin Wall (extract from BBC and CNN Series Cold War) YouTube - The Berlin Wall (extract from BBC and CNN Series Cold War) YouTube - The Berlin Wall (extract from BBC and CNN Series Cold War)