key topic 2

• What was a major problem for the USA and Soviet Union in 1948?

  Berlio posed a problem
• Why did Khrushchev want the removal of the Allies from West Berlin?

  It symbolized capitalist prosperity in communist territory
• How many East Germans fled to the West between 1949 and 1961?

  About 4 million
• What did the Soviet Union claim about West Berlin?

  It was used by the USA for espionage
• What was issued by Khrushchev in 1958 regarding Berlin?

  The Berlin Ultimatum
• What did Khrushchev accuse the Allies of in the Berlin Ultimatum?

  Breaking the Potsdam Agreement
• How did Eisenhower respond to the Berlin Ultimatum?

  He seemed prepared to negotiate
• What was the outcome of the Geneva Summit in May 1959?

  It failed to reach an agreement
• What was discussed during Khrushchev's visit to the USA in September 1959?

  Disarmament and further summit meetings
• What event occurred nine days before the Paris summit in May 1960?

  A U-2 spy plane was shot down
• What did Khrushchev demand after the U-2 incident?

  That all flights stop and an apology
• What was the outcome of the Vienna summit in June 1961?

  Khrushchev demanded Western forces leave Berlin
• When was the Berlin Wall built?

  On 13 August 1961
• What actions did East German troops take on 13 August 1961?

  They closed the border and installed barriers
• How did the USA and its Allies respond to the building of the Berlin Wall?

  They did nothing to stop it
• What did East German officials do over time regarding the Berlin Wall?

  They replaced it with a sturdier wall
• What is a summit conference?

  • A meeting of heads of state or government
  • Usually has considerable media exposure
  • Involves tight security
• What is an ultimatum?

  • A final demand or statement of terms
  • Rejection leads to retaliation
  • Can result in a breakdown in relations
• Who was the US leader during the Berlin Crisis of 1961?

  John F. Kennedy
• What was Kennedy's stance towards communism during his presidency?

  He was determined to get tough with it
• What phrase did Kennedy coin during his visit to West Germany in 1963?

  'Ich bin ein Berliner'
• What were the consequences of the events in Berlin during the early 1960s?

  • Peace maintained, but families were split
  • Travel restrictions made visits difficult
  • Serious stand-off between superpowers
  • Kennedy worked to avoid conflict
  • Flow of refugees was stopped
• What did Kennedy promise Khrushchev regarding troop withdrawal?

  USA would withdraw if Soviet troops did
• What did Kennedy declare about West Berlin in 1963?

  It was a symbol of freedom's struggle
• What should students avoid confusing in their studies?

  The events of 1961 with 1948-49
• What was the most serious crisis of the Cold War?

  The Cuban Missile Crisis
• Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis significant?

  It brought superpowers close to nuclear war
• What did the USA control in Cuba before the revolution?

  Most of Cuba's industry and railways
• Who led the revolution in Cuba in 1959?

  Fidel Castro
• What was Castro's goal regarding the USA?

  To gain greater independence from the USA
• What actions did Castro take against American properties in Cuba?

  He took all American property located in Cuba
• What was the USA's response to Castro's actions regarding sugar?

  Refused to buy Cuban sugar
• How did the Soviet Union respond to the USA's actions in Cuba?

  Offered to buy Cuban sugar and provide help
• What was the Bay of Pigs invasion?

  An attempt by the USA to overthrow Castro
• What was the outcome of the Bay of Pigs invasion?

  It was a total failure for President Kennedy
• Why did the CIA underestimate Castro's popularity?

  They believed the Cuban people opposed him
• What agreement did Castro make with Khrushchev in May 1962?

  To station Soviet nuclear weapons on Cuba
• What did an American U-2 spy plane discover on October 14, 1962?

  Missile sites being built in Cuba
• What did Kennedy do on October 20, 1962?

  Imposed a naval blockade around Cuba
• What was the purpose of the naval blockade imposed by Kennedy?

  To prevent Soviet missiles from reaching Cuba