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By Mr Crowe www.SchoolHistory.co.uk THE BERLIN WALL.

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Presentation on theme: "By Mr Crowe www.SchoolHistory.co.uk THE BERLIN WALL."— Presentation transcript:

1 By Mr Crowe www.SchoolHistory.co.uk
THE BERLIN WALL

2 A Cold War crisis Background East – West rivalry
Berlin divided – contrast the two halves. WEST: Prosperous, helped by US, attracted people from the East. Seen by USSR as ‘infection’ in the heart of Communist East Germany. EAST: Much less prosperous and under Communist control

3 Focus on refugees from East Germany or East Berlin to West
,245 ,648 ,390 ,870 ,622 ,917 ,026 ,356 ,632 ,876

4 What they wanted The West
Prevent USSR from gaining control of East Germany To see a united, democratic Germany The East Maintain control over E Germany 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

5 1958-Soviet demands West should: Recognise GDR
Withdraw troops from West Berlin Hand their access routes over to the East German government West refused and Khrushchev backed down.

6 Events of 1961 June - Khrushchev pressured new American President John F Kennedy Demanded withdrawal of Western forces from West Berlin – Kennedy refused 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

7 Events cont’d 13-22 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 This was against the Four Power agreement made in 1949.

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9 Results 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; 86 people died trying to cross the Berlin Wall

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11 Results continued… 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? 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 LINK:CNN - Cold War-The Wall


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