Why did tensions return to the Cold war in the late 1950s?

Learning objective – to be able to explain the reasons for the Cold War becoming tense in the late 1950s. I can describe the key developments of the Cold War in the late 1950s and early 1960s Grade D I can explain the causes of the growing tension in the Cold War from the late 1950s. Grade B I can evaluate the impact of the events that led to greater tension in the Cold War from the late 1950s. Grade A

Starter – what do you think the story of this image is?

Growing division of Germany in the late 1950s. Why? USA and USSR unable to agree upon how Germany should be governed. What? Diplomatic tensions as both sides did not recognise the part of Germany it did not control. East German government was very unpopular and a steady stream of refugees escape from the East to the West through Berlin. In 1958, Khrushchev declared the whole of Berlin belonged to East Germany. He ordered US troops to leave Berlin and gave them a six month notice to do so.

The Geneva Summit – May 1959 Why? USA wanted to stay in Berlin and defy Khrushchev’s demands. To avoid confrontation and war over Berlin. What? The Summit meeting was designed to discuss what to do with Berlin between high level representatives from USA and USSR. Significant? The talks achieved little but did play an important part in arranging Khrushchev to visit the USA and meet Eisenhower.

Camp David and Khrushchev’s visit to USA Why? Khrushchev wanted to move away from the oppressive image that Stalin projected. What? The Summit between the two presidents took place at Camp David – the USA President’s rural retreat – in September It was a positive and honest meeting which was accompanied by Khrushchev visiting various American landmarks. Nothing was agreed. Significant? The Camp David Summit laid the foundations for future discussions. Khrushchev agreed to abandoning the six month ultimatum given to US troops in Berlin.

The U2 incident Why? U2 was a spy plane which could fly at high altitude and take photographs for intelligence purposes. What? In May 1960, the USSR shot down a U2 plane caught flying over their territory and captured the pilot, Gary Powers. President Eisenhower had denied that the USA had sent planes to spy on the USSR. Khrushchev then produced photographs of the wreckage of the U2 shot over USSR. Proved he was lying, Eisenhower refused to apologise. Significant? Undone all the good diplomatic work of 1959 and Cold War tensions increased.

Paris Summit Why? The Paris Summit had been agreed at the Camp David Conference the previous year. Nine days before the Paris Conference, the U2 Incident had broken and tensions had increased. What? The Paris Summit was a disaster. Khrushchev walked out of the Paris Summit in protest making a series of angry statements, clearly unhappy and not interested in establishing a working relationship with the West.

The Vienna Conference Why? John F. Kennedy had just been elected President of USA and wanted to meet with Khrushchev. The problem of Berlin remained and needed further discussion. What? Both sides refused to back down with the USSR wanting USA out of Berlin and the USA refusing to leave. Khrushchev reaffirmed his previous ultimatum of a six month deadline to leave Berlin. Significant? Khrushchev saw Kennedy as young and weak. Someone he could push around. He decided to push his luck with Kennedy and force him to back down over international problems.

Task Draw a continuum in your exercise book like the one below. Relieved tensionsIncreased tensions The Berlin question Geneva Summit 1959 Khrushchev’s US visit 1959 The U2 Incident 1960 Paris Summit 1960 Vienna Conference 1961 Place the events below on your continuum and for each event write a paragraph which explains why you have placed it where you have on the continuum and why the event is significant in the Cold War during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

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