TOPIC #6: The Building of the Berlin Wall - 1961
REVIEW / KD:
1. Page 407. Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwQsTzGkbiY
"Walled In!" Germany's inner border – thanks Ali Farwi
2. Lesson was learned in Eastern Europe after the Hungarian Uprising:

That it was impossible to fight the Communists
3. Eastern Europeans want to leave:

Political reasons - some wished to leave Eastern Europe b/c they

hated the Communists
Economic reasons - many more wished to leave b/c standards of
living in Eastern Europe fell further and further behind the West,
the attraction of going to live in a capitalist state was very great.
4. West Berlin in the 1950s:

Prize exhibits of capitalist West Germany – shops full of goods,

great freedom, great wealth and great variety.
This had been deliberately done by the Western powers. They
had poured massive investment into Berlin
TOPIC #6: The Building of the Berlin Wall - 1961
Background:
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•
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In the 1950s East Germans were still able to travel freely into West Berlin
and into West Germany.
It was very tempting to leave East Germany:
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Harsh communist regime and its hard-line leader, Walter Ulbricht.
By the late 1950s thousands were defecting (leaving).

Often highly skilled workers or well-qualified managers.
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•
•
Between the years 1954 -1960, East Germany suffered a "brain drain".
During that period, 4,600 doctors, 15,885 teachers, 738 university
teachers, 15,536 engineers and technicians moved from East to West
Germany. http://www.berlinermauer.se/BerlinWall/bygg.htm
The Communist government could not afford to lose these high-quality
people - more importantly, from Khrushchev’s point of view, fleeing
Communist rule for a better life under capitalism undermined Communism
generally.
Khrushchev and the Communists worried that the USA and the West used
Berlin as a “listening post” to spy on the East.
SOURCE
27
Number of people crossing from East to West Germany, 1950–64.
TOPIC #6: The Building of the Berlin Wall - 1961
Background:
•
There was tension between the USA and the USSR because of Cuba
and the U2 incident over the USSR in May, 1960 (Gary Powers).
•
•
•
•
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In 1961 the USA had a new President, the young and inexperienced
JFK. Khrushchev thought he could bully Kennedy (Bay of Pigs, April
1961) and chose to pick a fight over Berlin.
He insisted that Kennedy withdraw US troops but JFK refused.
At two o’clock in the morning on Sunday 13 August 1961, East
German soldiers erected a barbed-wire barrier along the entire
frontier between East and West Berlin, ending all free movement
from East to West. It was quickly replaced by a concrete wall.
All the crossing points from East to West Berlin were sealed, except
for one. This became known as Checkpoint Charlie.
Families were divided. Border guards had orders to shoot people
trying to defect. Hundreds were killed over the next three decades.
TOPIC #6: The Building of the Berlin Wall - 1961
Reaction:
•
•
•
•
•
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On 27 October 1961 Soviet tanks pulled up to Checkpoint Charlie
and refused to allow any further access to the East.
Khrushchev ordered Ulbricht to avoid any actions that would
increase tension. Kennedy said, ‘It’s not a very nice solution, but a
wall is a hell of a lot better than a war.’
Built in response to JFK’s refusal to hand over West Berlin to
Communist control.
The wall became the symbol of division - Communist East and
democratic West.
The Communists presented the wall as a protective shell around
East Berlin.
The West presented it as a prison wall.
Key PP Questions:
68. Describe the effects of building the Berlin Wall on the people of Berlin. (5)
69. Why was the Berlin Wall built? (7)
68. Describe the effects of building the Berlin Wall on the people of Berlin. (5)
MAIN PART OF THE ANSWER:
•The
wall acted as a physical barrier between east and west.
•Families were divided. Border guards had orders to shoot people trying to defect. Hundreds were killed
over the next three decades.
•It cut all communications between the sides and with Checkpoint Charlie being the only crossing point.
•It stopped the movement of Germans and refugees.
BACKGROUND:
the late 1950s thousands were defecting (leaving).
•Often highly skilled workers or well-qualified managers.
•Between the years 1954 -1960, East Germany suffered a "brain drain". During that period, 4,600 doctors,
15,885 teachers, 738 university teachers, 15,536 engineers and technicians moved from East to W. Ger.
•The Communist government could not afford to lose these high-quality people - more importantly, from
Khrushchev’s point of view, fleeing Communist rule for a better life under capitalism undermined
Communism generally.
•Khrushchev and the Communists worried that the USA and the West used Berlin as a “listening post” to
spy on the East.
•There was tension between the USA and the USSR because of Cuba and the U2 incident over the USSR
in May, 1960 (Gary Powers).
•In 1961 the USA had a new President, the young and inexperienced JFK. Khrushchev thought he could
bully Kennedy (Bay of Pigs, April 1961) and chose to pick a fight over Berlin.
•He insisted that Kennedy withdraw US troops but JFK refused- Built in response to JFK’s refusal to hand
over West Berlin to Communist control.
•At two o’clock in the morning on Sunday 13 August 1961, East German soldiers erected a barbed-wire
barrier along the entire frontier between East and West Berlin, ending all free movement from East to
West. It was quickly replaced by a concrete wall. All the crossing points from East to West Berlin were
sealed, except for one. This became known as Checkpoint Charlie.
•By
DATE: September 24, 2012
TOPIC #6: Berlin Wall – 1961 and Intro to Czechoslovakia - 1968
REVIEW: PPQ 68
Describe the effects of building the Berlin Wall on the people of Berlin. (5)
OBJECTIVES:
5. Describe how the USSR reacted to opposition in 1956 and 1968.
6. Compare and contrast the events in Hungary and in Czechoslovakia.
KD INTRO:
1. Read page 404.
2. Who was Leonid Brezhnev?
3. Why was there opposition in Czechoslovakia?
4. What was Alexander Dubček calling for in Czechoslovakia by 1968?
DATE: September 27, 2012
TOPIC #6: Czechoslovakia and the Prague Spring of 1968
OBJECTIVES:
5. Describe how the USSR reacted to opposition in 1956 and 1968.
6. Compare and contrast the events in Hungary and in Czechoslovakia.
FURTHER KD:
5. Describe how the “Prague Spring” started in 1968.
6. Read sources 19 and 21 on page 405.
Compare and contrast them (what’s similar and what’s different).
7. What were the Soviet concerns / how did they react?
•
•
•
•
The Soviet Union was very suspicious of the changes.
Czechoslovakia was one of the most important countries in the
Warsaw Pact (centrally placed with strong industry).
The Soviets were worried that the new ideas in Czechoslovakia
might spread to other countries in eastern Europe.
Brezhnev came under pressure from the East German leader,
Walter Ulbricht, and the Polish leader, Gomulka, to restrain
Czechoslovakia.
TOPIC #6: Czechoslovakia and the Prague Spring of 1968
5. Describe how the “Prague Spring” started in 1968.

The Czech opposition was led by intellectuals who felt that the Communists
had failed to lead the country forward.

As censorship had been eased, attacks against the Communist leadership
flourished (grew), pointing out how corrupt and useless they were.

Communist government ministers were ‘grilled’ on live television and radio
about how they were running the country and about events before 1968.

New ideas seemed to be appearing everywhere (political liberalisation –
media, speech and travel).
Alexander Dubček
http://images.google.com/images?q=prague%20spring
TOPIC #6: Soviet Reaction to the Prague Spring of 1968
KD:
8. Give three examples of how the Soviets reacted to Czechoslovakia
before the invasion on August 20, 1968. p. 404 - 405
9. Who put pressure on Brezhnev to take action against Czechoslovakia?
Why? p. 404 - 405
10. What were the essentials of the Brezhnev Doctrine?
p. 406
11. Compare and contrast the Hungarian Uprising and the Prague Spring.
12. PPQ 66. Why did the USSR invade Czechoslovakia in 1968? (7)
KD Answers:
8. Soviet reaction:
See next slides.
9. Pressure on Brezhnev:

from the East German leader, Walter Ulbricht, and the Polish
leader, Gomulka, to restrain Czechoslovakia.

Did not want ideas of liberalisation, press freedom and
criticism of Communist policies to spread
10. What were the essentials of the Brezhnev Doctrine?


a one-party system
to remain a member of the Warsaw Pact
p. 406
TOPIC #6: Czechoslovakia and the Prague Spring of 1968
8. Soviet Reaction: Reasons for Invasion
•
The USSR tried various methods in response.
•
It argued with Dubček and tried to slow him down.
•
•
•
•
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Soviet, Polish and East German troops performed very public training
exercises on the Czech border.
It thought about imposing economic sanctions (cancelling wheat
exports to Czechoslovakia) but didn’t because it thought that the
Czechs would ask for help from the West.
In July the USSR had a summit conference with the Czechs. Dubček
agreed not to allow a new Social Democratic Party.
Early in August, Warsaw Pact members met and signed the
Bratislava Declaration. They agreed to defend Communist ideas. The
Soviet Union expressed its intention to intervene in a Warsaw Pact
country if a pluralist system of several political parties was ever
established. The conference produced a declaration calling on
Czechoslovakia to maintain political stability.
Ultimately the Soviets enforced the Brezhnev Doctrine - one party
and secure membership in Warsaw Pact.
TOPIC #6: Czechoslovakia and the Prague Spring of 1968
8. Soviet Reaction:
•
On 20 August 1968, to the stunned amazement of the Czechs
and the outside world, Soviet tanks and Warsaw Pact Allies
moved into Czechoslovakia.
•
•
•
There was little violent resistance, although many Czechs
refused to co-operate with the Soviet troops.
Dubček was removed from power.
Brezhnev was very worried that the new ideas coming out of
Czechoslovakia would spread.
KD Answers:
9. Compare and contrast the Hungarian Uprising and Prague.
Compare:
•
Soviet military intervention
•
Discontent with Soviet control – both economically and politically
•
Neither received help from the West.
Contrast:
•
Hungary planned to leave the Warsaw Pact but Czechoslovakia
didn’t.
•
The Soviets seemed to be more patient with Czechoslovakia
before invading but acted aggressively and immediately in
Hungary.
•
Nagy was executed and Dubček demoted.
•
Hungarians resisted (30,000 dead) but the Czechs didn’t resist.
•
Czechs wanted freedom of speech and additional political parties.
TOPIC #6: Czechoslovakia and the Prague Spring of 1968
Aftermath:
•
Brezhnev Doctrine (September 1968) essentials of communism:
• a one-party system
• to remain a member of the Warsaw Pact
“When forces that are hostile to socialism try to turn the development of
some socialist country towards capitalism, it becomes not only a problem of
the country concerned, but a common problem and concern of all socialist
countries."
•
•
•
•
•
•
Unlike Nagy in Hungary, Dubček was not executed.
Dubček was gradually downgraded (ambassador to Turkey, then expelled
from the Communist Party and photographs showing him as leader were
‘censored’).
Czechoslovakia’s mood had been one of optimism. After, it was despair.
Czechoslovakia became resentful of the Soviet connection, and other
communists alienated (China).
Ideas that could have reformed Communism were silenced.
20 years later, Gorbachev, the leader of the USSR, questioned the invasion
himself.
DATE: September 30, 2012
TOPIC #6: Soviet Reaction to the Prague Spring of 1968
REVIEW:
PPQ 66. Why did the USSR invade Czechoslovakia in 1968? (7)
QUIZ REVIEW:
1. Describe the Prague Spring. (5)
2. Compare and contrast the Hungarian Uprising and the Prague
Spring. (7)
3. What were the essentials of the Brezhnev Doctrine? (2)
HW: Read pages 410 and 411.
1. What does Détente mean?
2. Why did the Cold War thaw in the 1970s? Write bullet point answers (7)
3. Why did the Cold War freeze again in the 1980s? Write bullet point answers (7)
PPQ 66. Why did the USSR invade Czechoslovakia in 1968? (7)
•The Soviet Union was very suspicious of the changes. The pace of reforms was too fast and
liberal.
•As censorship had been eased, attacks against the Communist leadership flourished (grew),
pointing out how corrupt and useless they were.
•Communist government ministers were ‘grilled’ on live television and radio about how they
were running the country and about events before 1968.
•Czechoslovakia was one of the most important countries in the Warsaw Pact (centrally
placed next to Germany with strong industry and resources that the USSR relied on).
•The Soviets were worried that the new ideas in Czechoslovakia might spread to other
countries in Eastern Europe (Domino Effect).
• There were also concerns about a new political party (Social Democratic Party) would rival
the Communists and undermine Communist control.
• The Soviets were also worried that the stability of the Warsaw Pact was at risk.
• Brezhnev came under pressure from the East German leader, Walter Ulbricht, and the
Polish leader, Gomulka, to restrain Czechoslovakia. He wanted to show affirm hand and
control unfolding events.
• The USSR worried that Czechoslovakia might turn to the West for help, both economically
and politically.
• On 20 August 1968, to the stunned amazement of the Czechs and the outside world,
Soviet tanks and Warsaw Pact Allies moved into Czechoslovakia.
• The Soviets were prepared for a violent response but there was little resistance. Many
Czechs, however, refused to co-operate with the Soviet troops.
• Ultimately the Soviets enforced the Brezhnev Doctrine - one party and secure membership
in Warsaw Pact.
KD ANSWERS:
2. Cold War thaw in the 1970s: (7)
There were a number of factors that led to a thaw in
relations between the USA and USSR.
Helsinki conference, August 1975.
• All countries recognised the borders set out after the Second World
War, including the division of Germany. They agreed to respect
human rights – e.g. freedom of speech, freedom to move from one
country to another.
(Does that remind you of the Locarno Treaties of 1925? – p. 240)
High hand shake!
• American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts met up and shook
hands in space. This was quite literally the high point of détente.
(What does this prove or demonstrate / why important?)
KD ANSWERS:
3. Why did the Cold War freeze again in the 1980s? (7)

After a decade of détente, the distrust and hostility between the USA
and USSR returned and witnessed another freeze in the Cold War in
the 1980s.
Revolution in Iran:
The Iranian revolution changed the balance of power in the Middle
East and increased tension between the superpowers, who were
worried about how each other would react.
Civil wars in Nicaragua, El Salvador and in Angola:
Communist rebels (supported by Cuban and Soviet money and
expertise) tried to overthrow the governments of these states in South
America and Africa. The USA funded the governments against the
rebels. In Angola, the USA and the USSR helped to fund a long-running
civil war.
Human rights:
Jimmy Carter (US President, 1977–81) openly criticised the USSR’s
suppression of dissidents – people who spoke out against the
government in both the USSR and eastern Europe.
New nuclear weapons:
In 1977 the USSR began replacing out-of-date missiles in eastern
Europe with new SS-20 nuclear missiles. In response, President Carter
allowed the US military to develop the Cruise missile. By 1979 the USA
had stationed Pershing missiles in western Europe as an answer to the
SS-20s.
Collapse of SALT 2:
The main terms of the SALT 2 agreement had been set out as early as
1974. It was not until June 1979 that SALT 2 was finally signed. By
that time, relations between the USA and the USSR had deteriorated
so much that the US Congress refused to ratify SALT 2.
Afghanistan
In 1979 the pro-Soviet regime in Afghanistan was under serious threat
from its Muslim opponents, the Mujahideen. To protect the regime,
Soviet forces invaded. Western powers were alarmed and the USA
secretly began to send money, arms and equipment to Pakistan for the
Mujahideen. Portrayed in Charlie Wilson’s War
The Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics
In protest at Soviet involvement in the Afghan War, the USA boycotted
the 1980 Olympic games held in Moscow. In retaliation, the USSR and
eastern European teams boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics held four
years later.
Ronald Reagan:
In 1980, the USA elected Ronald Reagan as President.
Reagan made no secret of his dislike of Communism and the USSR,
calling it the Evil Empire. He supported anti-Communist forces in
Afghanistan and Nicaragua.
Reagan was helped by the fact that many of Europe’s leaders at this
time (including Britain’s Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher) supported
his tough line against the USSR.
His boldest plan was to escalate the arms race in order to end it. He
increased US defense spending by $32.6 billion.
DATE: October 1 - 4, 2012
TOPIC #6: Cold War and the 1970s - Intro to Poland and Solidarity
OBJECTIVES:
9. Explain what happened to Cold War tensions in the 1970s and 1980s.
10. Describe the significance of ‘Solidarity’ in Poland for the
decline of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe?
11. Measure how far was Gorbachev was responsible for the collapse of
Soviet control over Eastern Europe?
KD:
1. What was Solidarity? p. 412
2. How were protests in Poland different from those in Hungary and
Czechoslovakia? p. 412
3. What complaints did the Polish have during the 1970s? p. 412
4. Describe how Solidarity grew in the summer of 1980. p. 412