COLD WAR: Topic 4 - 3 Crisis’s 1960s:
Causes of the Second Berlin Crisis, 1961 (the Berlin Wall) Impact of the second Berlin Crisis (The Berlin Wall) Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Refugee Crisis: Cuban Revolution, 1953-1959
In 1949, G = officially divided into 2: FRG and GDR = firmly under the control of the USSR. FRG = had
Protests in EG = quickly quashed by the Stasi (East German Secret
Jan 1959: A group of revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro overthrew General
Impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis
received Marshall Aid and in the 1950s it became a wealthy country with a high standard of living. EG did not police).]
Batista (leader of the pro-US government of Cuba). E = worried about having
receive economic aid + the EG government’s economic policies were not really that successful = low a left-wing revolution in a region within close proximity to the US.
standard of living. The communist regime in EG was very unpopular as there were many limits on what the The Wall = Though it resolved refugee crisis (although over 4,000 EG did ● Kennedy = shown himself to be a strong leader by
people could do and say. The secret police (the Stasi) kept a close watch on the behaviour of the people. manage to cross the wall without being killed, though 130 = killed), + Batista = Cuban dictator = 1933 + his government = corrupt + undemocratic challenging Khrushchev. His popularity increased
1953= riots against the government and the Soviet government sent in soldiers to bring back ‘order’. showed that they had to ‘lock’ people into EG to stop them from leaving = + any opposition was quickly silenced. Cuban people were unhappy + turned as the agreement over the missiles in Turkey had
seemed to prefer capitalism over communism + sent the message that C to Castro to form a revolution to overthrow Batista. not been made public. This gave him more
Poor standard of living = many EG’s chose to move to WG = knew the quality of life in WG = much better + confidence when dealing with the USSR. He had
easy to cross the border between the two countries. Once they were in WB = officially part of WG territory. would survive in B + any attempt to reunite G under W control would fail +
Under Batista US businesses had invested heavily in Cuba + a lot of the redeemed himself after the failure of the Bay of
showed that K = forced to accept W Control in WB. Abandon plans of
land in Cuba was owned by Americans. Cuba’s oil, electricity, telephone Pigs Invasion.
1949-61: 3 mil EG’s (over a 6th of the country’s entire population) had crossed to the W. Many of these people reunification. networks + railways = also controlled by Americans + US = an important ●
= kind of people EG needed to improve its economy e.g., skilled workers such as engineers and teachers = June 1963 = A direct communication line = set up
investor in Cuba’s main export, sugar. However, the new leader of Cuba,
left = earn a better wage in WG. The loss = put significant pressure on EG’s ability to function. between the White House in Washington DC and
B Wall = led to a serious stand-off. US = argued against Soviet troops Castro = a nationalist + did not want Cuba’s economy to be under US control
the Kremlin in Moscow. This became known as the
being allowed to patrol and guard the checkpoints to the Wall + power to = created tension between the US and Cuba.
Khrushchev could not allow this situation to continue as the refugee crisis would be a propaganda disaster ‘hotline’. This meant in any future crisis the two
check the passports of US officials who passed through these
for the USSR = made it seem that the people of EG preferred democracy + capitalism = made communism May 1959 = Castro’s Cuban gov took over all land (industry) in Cuba owned leaders could speak directly = 16,000km long.
look bad. USSR = thought that the W = encouraging refugees through propaganda = focused on housing + checkpoints. US = stationed their own troops + tanks on the W side of ● 1968 = The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was
by foreigners = nationalisation. In retaliation, the US refused to buy Cuba’s
employment. the checkpoints = provoked USSR = same on EG side.
biggest export – sugar. signed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
1 day in Aug 1961, 40,000 EG’s to W + 2,000 +/- people per day. Countries that signed the treaty agreed not to
June 1963: JFK = travelled to WB, treated like celebrity, chanting his Castro gave communists positions in his gov. Feb = 1960, Khrushchev + share their nuclear technology with other
name, visited the Wall + made Ich bin ein Berliner speech (I am a Berliner) Castro = agreement: the USSR = buy Cuban sugar + provide economic aid + countries that did not have nuclear weapon
The Berlin Ultimatum: speech to 120,000 WB outlining his belief - evils of communism + the need also a secret agreement that Cuba would receive weapons from the USSR. technology.
Khrushchev = believed = only way to fix the refugee problem was to make the whole of Berlin part of EG + to protect the freedom of WB + promised American support for WB. ● Khrushchev had protected Cuba. He had protected
wanted the W powers to leave their zones in B = needed to force them out (knew Allies would not leave US = concerned = pro-Soviet gov was being set up only 145 km away from a small, vulnerable nation (Cuba) from the threat of
freely). the US mainland + decided = take action. Oct 1960 = Eisenhower banned all
Impact on B: Families, friends = separated for years. Work = give up jobs. an American invasion = makes communism
US trade with Cuba (particularly petroleum) = placed a lot of strain on Cuba’s
27th Nov 1958: Khrushchev issued his Berlin Ultimatum. He demanded that: WB became a symbol of freedom + defiance against communism appear better.
economy + pushed Castro closer to the USSR. Jan 1961 = US broke off
Berlin should be demilitarised + W troops withdrawn, + Berlin should become diplomatic relations with Cuba. ● Cuba remained a communist country and was
a free city. W = had 6 months to make these changes or Khrushchev would hand reliant on the USSR for both protection and
over control of all routes into Berlin to the East German government.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion, April 1961: The Monroe Doctrine: financial aid.
US = refused to accept a pro-comm gov in Cuba. Monroe Doctrine started● The Partial/Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT) was
W powers would have to negotiate with the EG government about access to 1960 = CIA + Eisenhower began to create a plan to deal with Castro. JFK = P when America’s issues with Cuba increased. The MD = created = 1823 when signed in 1963. It stated that the USSR, US, and
Berlin which would force them into accepting EG as a legitimate separate country ( (1961) he approved the plan. CIA’s plan = simple: a large group of Cuban exiles in the US declared = had a right to defend themselves + their ‘sphere of Britain would carry out no further nuclear tests
only the SS recognised). W = angered by Khrushchev’s demands + saw his actions as another example of Florida, who had trained with the CIA, would invade Cuba. The invasion would influence’ if a EP threatened their interests. US’ ‘sphere of influence’ = C + unless they were underground. Tests in the
how the USSR was trying to expand communism. look like a Cuban counter-revolution, so it wouldn’t look like the US was involved. SA. Under the MD = US saw itself as the protector of these countries from atmosphere, underwater, or in space were banned.
The invasion would inspire other Cubans to revolt and overthrow Castro’s outside threats.
regime. And then a new US-friendly Cuban government could be put in control of After 1963, 113 other countries also signed this
Summits - Trying to solve the Berlin Problem: the island. However, the attempted invasion was a complete failure. 1960s = US saw communism as an economic threat to these countries + the
treaty.
● China was critical of Khrushchev’s response to the
1) Geneva – May 1959: US' sphere of influence.
Cuban Missile Crisis and called him a ‘coward’.
Both sides made proposals for how B should be governed, but no agreement =reached. Khrushchev = agreed
17th April 1961 = 1,400 Cuban exiles landed on the beach (Bay of Pigs). Ultimately US warned the USSR = breaking the MD by helping Cuba + therefore the US
● 1964 = Khrushchev was removed from his position
to consider a trip to the US for another summit meeting, to continue their discussions.
= they couldn’t compete with the experienced Cuban Revolutionary Army. Since = impose heavy sanctions. The US used the MD as a justification for their as the leader of the USSR and replaced with
2) Camp David – September 1959 the US wanted to show the invasion as Cubans trying to get rid of Castro, the US actions with Cuba (later on). But, the Soviets warned that they would defend Brezhnev. This was partly due to his handling of
could not send US soldiers or help to support the invasion – this left the exiles Cuba if it were to be attacked by the USA. The US government's belief in the the Cuban Missile Crisis and agreeing to remove
Eisenhower and Khrushchev met face to face for the first time = still no agreement Berlin, but USSR = agreed
very exposed. Furthermore, Castro’s government found out about the invasion MD + use of it only pushed Castro into the arms of the Soviets. the missile bases from Cuba.
to withdraw the Berlin Ultimatum + further talks = Paris.
plans + there were 20,000 Cuban troops armed with tanks + modern weapons
waiting for the exiles. 200 +/- of the exiles = killed when they landed on the The Cuban Missile Crisis:
3_The U-2 incident and the Paris Summit/Conference, May 1960 beach + 1000+/- =captured. Invasion = total disaster + showed that the Cuban The Cuban Missile Crisis
As each country prepared for the Paris talks, the USSR made an announcement that destroyed any chance of people felt happy with Castro+ did not want to overthrow him. The invasion failed
those talks being successful. to achieve its aim + left the US open to criticism (US = very obv involved + public
humiliation for the US. ● 16th October = JFK called together an Executive Committee (ExComm) to discuss how the US should react to the photos taken on the
1st May 1960 (13 days before the Paris Summit), the USSR shot down a US U-2 spy plane as it flew over the 14th. ExComm met every day for 13 days to discuss their options.
USSR. US claimed = weather aeroplane + blown off course, but Soviet’s = captured + interrogated pilot (Gary ● 21st October = Cuba = placed under ‘quarantine’ by a US blockade to prevent the USSR from being able to bring any more supplies to
Powers) = admitted to being on a spy mission + cameras + suicide pill (meant to take if captured). US = previously accused the USSR of trying to build an empire in EE. Now = Cuba.
●
looked US = try to restore US influence in an independent country by supporting 22nd October = JFK addressed the US public through a television appearance. He told them about the missile bases in Cuba + the
Summit = bitter exchanges. K = demanded that E apologise. E = refused to apologise + K walked out of the an armed uprising against the Cuban government. USSR pointed out: Cuban government’s decision to quarantine Cuba. The US people were shocked, + many expected the USSR to ignore the quarantine = the
meeting = ended with no decisions made. people were happy under the leadership of the pro-communist Castro. K = said = US would then sink the Soviet ships + war would break out. Kennedy was aware of this + declared DEFCON 3 + prepared 54 bombers
4) Vienna Summit – June 1961 clear evidence = popularity of communism. in case war broke out.
Jan 1961, JFK = US president. K believed that, as JFK = inexperienced in foreign affairs = possible to get an ● 23rd October = Castro ordered Cuban forces to prepare for a US invasion.
advantage over him + knew that JFK’s reputation had suffered with the Bay of Pigs invasion (April 1961) had ● 26th October = Kennedy + ExComm discussed an invasion of Cuba. Over 120,000 US troops were ready in Florida. Khrushchev sent
failed. Therefore, K = took a tough approach + brought back the Berlin Ultimatum. Created after invasion = stronger relations between Cuba + the USSR. Castro Kennedy a telegram offering to remove missiles from Cuba if the Americans agreed not to invade Cuba.
declared himself to be a communist + asked K to help him defend Cuba against● 27th October = Before Kennedy had time to respond to the telegram, Khrushchev sent another telegram. 2nd telegram said that the
JFK = refused to give in + Vienna Summit = ended with no final decision on B. Post Vienna: JFK = decided to any future US attack. Sep 1961: K publicly announced = provide arms to Cuba. USSR would only remove the missiles from Cuba if the US removed their missiles from Turkey. The US met with the Soviet
increase American spending on the army by over $2 billion - US = prepared to fight over B. JFK = was very concerned > Cuba would now have modern military equipment + ambassador in Washington + agreed to remove the missiles in Turkey = however, this was all kept a secret from the US public. From
training from Soviet experts.Nuclear weapons in Cuba = US = under direct threat. the American people’s perspective, Kennedy had ‘ignored’ the second telegram + agreed to not invade Cuba in return for Khrushchev
removing the missiles.
Causes of the Second Berlin Crisis, 1961 (the Berlin Wall) Impact of the second Berlin Crisis (The Berlin Wall) Causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Refugee Crisis: Cuban Revolution, 1953-1959
In 1949, G = officially divided into 2: FRG and GDR = firmly under the control of the USSR. FRG = had
Protests in EG = quickly quashed by the Stasi (East German Secret
Jan 1959: A group of revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro overthrew General
Impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis
received Marshall Aid and in the 1950s it became a wealthy country with a high standard of living. EG did not police).]
Batista (leader of the pro-US government of Cuba). E = worried about having
receive economic aid + the EG government’s economic policies were not really that successful = low a left-wing revolution in a region within close proximity to the US.
standard of living. The communist regime in EG was very unpopular as there were many limits on what the The Wall = Though it resolved refugee crisis (although over 4,000 EG did ● Kennedy = shown himself to be a strong leader by
people could do and say. The secret police (the Stasi) kept a close watch on the behaviour of the people. manage to cross the wall without being killed, though 130 = killed), + Batista = Cuban dictator = 1933 + his government = corrupt + undemocratic challenging Khrushchev. His popularity increased
1953= riots against the government and the Soviet government sent in soldiers to bring back ‘order’. showed that they had to ‘lock’ people into EG to stop them from leaving = + any opposition was quickly silenced. Cuban people were unhappy + turned as the agreement over the missiles in Turkey had
seemed to prefer capitalism over communism + sent the message that C to Castro to form a revolution to overthrow Batista. not been made public. This gave him more
Poor standard of living = many EG’s chose to move to WG = knew the quality of life in WG = much better + confidence when dealing with the USSR. He had
easy to cross the border between the two countries. Once they were in WB = officially part of WG territory. would survive in B + any attempt to reunite G under W control would fail +
Under Batista US businesses had invested heavily in Cuba + a lot of the redeemed himself after the failure of the Bay of
showed that K = forced to accept W Control in WB. Abandon plans of
land in Cuba was owned by Americans. Cuba’s oil, electricity, telephone Pigs Invasion.
1949-61: 3 mil EG’s (over a 6th of the country’s entire population) had crossed to the W. Many of these people reunification. networks + railways = also controlled by Americans + US = an important ●
= kind of people EG needed to improve its economy e.g., skilled workers such as engineers and teachers = June 1963 = A direct communication line = set up
investor in Cuba’s main export, sugar. However, the new leader of Cuba,
left = earn a better wage in WG. The loss = put significant pressure on EG’s ability to function. between the White House in Washington DC and
B Wall = led to a serious stand-off. US = argued against Soviet troops Castro = a nationalist + did not want Cuba’s economy to be under US control
the Kremlin in Moscow. This became known as the
being allowed to patrol and guard the checkpoints to the Wall + power to = created tension between the US and Cuba.
Khrushchev could not allow this situation to continue as the refugee crisis would be a propaganda disaster ‘hotline’. This meant in any future crisis the two
check the passports of US officials who passed through these
for the USSR = made it seem that the people of EG preferred democracy + capitalism = made communism May 1959 = Castro’s Cuban gov took over all land (industry) in Cuba owned leaders could speak directly = 16,000km long.
look bad. USSR = thought that the W = encouraging refugees through propaganda = focused on housing + checkpoints. US = stationed their own troops + tanks on the W side of ● 1968 = The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was
by foreigners = nationalisation. In retaliation, the US refused to buy Cuba’s
employment. the checkpoints = provoked USSR = same on EG side.
biggest export – sugar. signed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
1 day in Aug 1961, 40,000 EG’s to W + 2,000 +/- people per day. Countries that signed the treaty agreed not to
June 1963: JFK = travelled to WB, treated like celebrity, chanting his Castro gave communists positions in his gov. Feb = 1960, Khrushchev + share their nuclear technology with other
name, visited the Wall + made Ich bin ein Berliner speech (I am a Berliner) Castro = agreement: the USSR = buy Cuban sugar + provide economic aid + countries that did not have nuclear weapon
The Berlin Ultimatum: speech to 120,000 WB outlining his belief - evils of communism + the need also a secret agreement that Cuba would receive weapons from the USSR. technology.
Khrushchev = believed = only way to fix the refugee problem was to make the whole of Berlin part of EG + to protect the freedom of WB + promised American support for WB. ● Khrushchev had protected Cuba. He had protected
wanted the W powers to leave their zones in B = needed to force them out (knew Allies would not leave US = concerned = pro-Soviet gov was being set up only 145 km away from a small, vulnerable nation (Cuba) from the threat of
freely). the US mainland + decided = take action. Oct 1960 = Eisenhower banned all
Impact on B: Families, friends = separated for years. Work = give up jobs. an American invasion = makes communism
US trade with Cuba (particularly petroleum) = placed a lot of strain on Cuba’s
27th Nov 1958: Khrushchev issued his Berlin Ultimatum. He demanded that: WB became a symbol of freedom + defiance against communism appear better.
economy + pushed Castro closer to the USSR. Jan 1961 = US broke off
Berlin should be demilitarised + W troops withdrawn, + Berlin should become diplomatic relations with Cuba. ● Cuba remained a communist country and was
a free city. W = had 6 months to make these changes or Khrushchev would hand reliant on the USSR for both protection and
over control of all routes into Berlin to the East German government.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion, April 1961: The Monroe Doctrine: financial aid.
US = refused to accept a pro-comm gov in Cuba. Monroe Doctrine started● The Partial/Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT) was
W powers would have to negotiate with the EG government about access to 1960 = CIA + Eisenhower began to create a plan to deal with Castro. JFK = P when America’s issues with Cuba increased. The MD = created = 1823 when signed in 1963. It stated that the USSR, US, and
Berlin which would force them into accepting EG as a legitimate separate country ( (1961) he approved the plan. CIA’s plan = simple: a large group of Cuban exiles in the US declared = had a right to defend themselves + their ‘sphere of Britain would carry out no further nuclear tests
only the SS recognised). W = angered by Khrushchev’s demands + saw his actions as another example of Florida, who had trained with the CIA, would invade Cuba. The invasion would influence’ if a EP threatened their interests. US’ ‘sphere of influence’ = C + unless they were underground. Tests in the
how the USSR was trying to expand communism. look like a Cuban counter-revolution, so it wouldn’t look like the US was involved. SA. Under the MD = US saw itself as the protector of these countries from atmosphere, underwater, or in space were banned.
The invasion would inspire other Cubans to revolt and overthrow Castro’s outside threats.
regime. And then a new US-friendly Cuban government could be put in control of After 1963, 113 other countries also signed this
Summits - Trying to solve the Berlin Problem: the island. However, the attempted invasion was a complete failure. 1960s = US saw communism as an economic threat to these countries + the
treaty.
● China was critical of Khrushchev’s response to the
1) Geneva – May 1959: US' sphere of influence.
Cuban Missile Crisis and called him a ‘coward’.
Both sides made proposals for how B should be governed, but no agreement =reached. Khrushchev = agreed
17th April 1961 = 1,400 Cuban exiles landed on the beach (Bay of Pigs). Ultimately US warned the USSR = breaking the MD by helping Cuba + therefore the US
● 1964 = Khrushchev was removed from his position
to consider a trip to the US for another summit meeting, to continue their discussions.
= they couldn’t compete with the experienced Cuban Revolutionary Army. Since = impose heavy sanctions. The US used the MD as a justification for their as the leader of the USSR and replaced with
2) Camp David – September 1959 the US wanted to show the invasion as Cubans trying to get rid of Castro, the US actions with Cuba (later on). But, the Soviets warned that they would defend Brezhnev. This was partly due to his handling of
could not send US soldiers or help to support the invasion – this left the exiles Cuba if it were to be attacked by the USA. The US government's belief in the the Cuban Missile Crisis and agreeing to remove
Eisenhower and Khrushchev met face to face for the first time = still no agreement Berlin, but USSR = agreed
very exposed. Furthermore, Castro’s government found out about the invasion MD + use of it only pushed Castro into the arms of the Soviets. the missile bases from Cuba.
to withdraw the Berlin Ultimatum + further talks = Paris.
plans + there were 20,000 Cuban troops armed with tanks + modern weapons
waiting for the exiles. 200 +/- of the exiles = killed when they landed on the The Cuban Missile Crisis:
3_The U-2 incident and the Paris Summit/Conference, May 1960 beach + 1000+/- =captured. Invasion = total disaster + showed that the Cuban The Cuban Missile Crisis
As each country prepared for the Paris talks, the USSR made an announcement that destroyed any chance of people felt happy with Castro+ did not want to overthrow him. The invasion failed
those talks being successful. to achieve its aim + left the US open to criticism (US = very obv involved + public
humiliation for the US. ● 16th October = JFK called together an Executive Committee (ExComm) to discuss how the US should react to the photos taken on the
1st May 1960 (13 days before the Paris Summit), the USSR shot down a US U-2 spy plane as it flew over the 14th. ExComm met every day for 13 days to discuss their options.
USSR. US claimed = weather aeroplane + blown off course, but Soviet’s = captured + interrogated pilot (Gary ● 21st October = Cuba = placed under ‘quarantine’ by a US blockade to prevent the USSR from being able to bring any more supplies to
Powers) = admitted to being on a spy mission + cameras + suicide pill (meant to take if captured). US = previously accused the USSR of trying to build an empire in EE. Now = Cuba.
●
looked US = try to restore US influence in an independent country by supporting 22nd October = JFK addressed the US public through a television appearance. He told them about the missile bases in Cuba + the
Summit = bitter exchanges. K = demanded that E apologise. E = refused to apologise + K walked out of the an armed uprising against the Cuban government. USSR pointed out: Cuban government’s decision to quarantine Cuba. The US people were shocked, + many expected the USSR to ignore the quarantine = the
meeting = ended with no decisions made. people were happy under the leadership of the pro-communist Castro. K = said = US would then sink the Soviet ships + war would break out. Kennedy was aware of this + declared DEFCON 3 + prepared 54 bombers
4) Vienna Summit – June 1961 clear evidence = popularity of communism. in case war broke out.
Jan 1961, JFK = US president. K believed that, as JFK = inexperienced in foreign affairs = possible to get an ● 23rd October = Castro ordered Cuban forces to prepare for a US invasion.
advantage over him + knew that JFK’s reputation had suffered with the Bay of Pigs invasion (April 1961) had ● 26th October = Kennedy + ExComm discussed an invasion of Cuba. Over 120,000 US troops were ready in Florida. Khrushchev sent
failed. Therefore, K = took a tough approach + brought back the Berlin Ultimatum. Created after invasion = stronger relations between Cuba + the USSR. Castro Kennedy a telegram offering to remove missiles from Cuba if the Americans agreed not to invade Cuba.
declared himself to be a communist + asked K to help him defend Cuba against● 27th October = Before Kennedy had time to respond to the telegram, Khrushchev sent another telegram. 2nd telegram said that the
JFK = refused to give in + Vienna Summit = ended with no final decision on B. Post Vienna: JFK = decided to any future US attack. Sep 1961: K publicly announced = provide arms to Cuba. USSR would only remove the missiles from Cuba if the US removed their missiles from Turkey. The US met with the Soviet
increase American spending on the army by over $2 billion - US = prepared to fight over B. JFK = was very concerned > Cuba would now have modern military equipment + ambassador in Washington + agreed to remove the missiles in Turkey = however, this was all kept a secret from the US public. From
training from Soviet experts.Nuclear weapons in Cuba = US = under direct threat. the American people’s perspective, Kennedy had ‘ignored’ the second telegram + agreed to not invade Cuba in return for Khrushchev
removing the missiles.
