Why was Germany a source of tension?
Germany was divided into two separate countries in 1949.
Economic differences between East and West Germany:
Economically, West Germany was larger than East Germany with larger population and
more industrial output.
The West also got aid from the Marshall Plan and standard of living there increased
rapidly.
In East Germany, forced collectivization and socialization was horrible for the economy.
So many East Germans fled to West Germany.
Political differenced between East and West Germany:
West Germany had democracy; East Germany hadn’t had free elections since 1946 - by
1950s, it was a Stalinist authoritarian state.
Workers in East Berlin rose up to revolt, and riots occurred throughout 1953 - riots were
put down by Soviet tanks.
Why did the Berlin Crisis develop?
Khrushchev and the crisis of 1958:
After the Berlin blockade, Berlin stayed divided under US-British-French-Soviet
occupation.
West Berlin was a perfect example of what capitalism could achieve - the political
freedom and comfortable lifestyle of West Berliners encouraged people to escape the
East.
Between 1945-61, about 1/6th of the German population took the chance to move to
West.
The division of Berlin also allowed the West to have a propaganda/espionage base 186
km into East German territory.
1958: Khrushchev proposed a peace treaty to recognize existence of both Germanys.
In November 1958, he demanded Berlin be demilitarized and Western troops be
withdrawn.
Khrushchev threatened to hand control of West Berlin access routes to East Germany
(GDR) - so West would have to negotiate with GDR and be forced to recognize their
sovereignty.
Khrushchev was ready to escalate the Cold War because of:
o Soviet fear of West Germany.
o Concern over failing economy of East Germany.
o Pressure from leader of GDR.
Germany was divided into two separate countries in 1949.
Economic differences between East and West Germany:
Economically, West Germany was larger than East Germany with larger population and
more industrial output.
The West also got aid from the Marshall Plan and standard of living there increased
rapidly.
In East Germany, forced collectivization and socialization was horrible for the economy.
So many East Germans fled to West Germany.
Political differenced between East and West Germany:
West Germany had democracy; East Germany hadn’t had free elections since 1946 - by
1950s, it was a Stalinist authoritarian state.
Workers in East Berlin rose up to revolt, and riots occurred throughout 1953 - riots were
put down by Soviet tanks.
Why did the Berlin Crisis develop?
Khrushchev and the crisis of 1958:
After the Berlin blockade, Berlin stayed divided under US-British-French-Soviet
occupation.
West Berlin was a perfect example of what capitalism could achieve - the political
freedom and comfortable lifestyle of West Berliners encouraged people to escape the
East.
Between 1945-61, about 1/6th of the German population took the chance to move to
West.
The division of Berlin also allowed the West to have a propaganda/espionage base 186
km into East German territory.
1958: Khrushchev proposed a peace treaty to recognize existence of both Germanys.
In November 1958, he demanded Berlin be demilitarized and Western troops be
withdrawn.
Khrushchev threatened to hand control of West Berlin access routes to East Germany
(GDR) - so West would have to negotiate with GDR and be forced to recognize their
sovereignty.
Khrushchev was ready to escalate the Cold War because of:
o Soviet fear of West Germany.
o Concern over failing economy of East Germany.
o Pressure from leader of GDR.
