How did the Berlin Wall become a symbol of the Cold War?

Learning objective – to be able to explain the reasons why the Berlin Wall was build and consider its impact on the Cold War. I can describe the key reasons why the Berlin Wall was built. Grade D I can explain the causes of the Berlin Wall and consider the impact that it had. Grade B I can evaluate the impact of the Berlin Wall on the Cold War. Grade A

Starter – what does this graph tell you about defections from East to West Berlin?

How was Germany divided from 1949? Both sides refused to recognise the legitimacy of the other. East Germany was led by Walter Ulbricht and followed a planned economy along Stalinist lines. West Germany was first led by Konrad Adenauer, who looked to the west for support. East Germany had an emphasis on heavy industry over consumer goods. West Germany’s emphasis on consumer goods and aid from the Marshall Plan led to the 1950s being a period of prosperity. East Germany had a lower standard of living compared with West Germany, which made Ulbricht very unpopular.

Growing division of Germany in the late 1950s. Why? USA and USSR unable to agree upon how Germany should be governed. What? Diplomatic tensions as both sides did not recognise the part of Germany it did not control. East German government was very unpopular and a steady stream of refugees escape from the East to the West through Berlin. 2.6 million people escaped East Germany for West Germany between 1949 and 1961. Many of these people were high quality professionals.

Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum – 1958-61 Why? Khrushchev was desperate for foreign policy success as he was criticised over his handling of the Hungarian Uprising. Khrushchev was alarmed at the rate of defections from East Germany. Khrushchev wanted control over the whole of Berlin. What? In 1958, Khrushchev issued his Berlin Ultimatum – in effect, he demanded the US, French and British troops out of Berlin. He aimed to stop the flow of refugees leaving Berlin and he wanted to humiliate the USA.

What was the American reaction to the Berlin Ultimatum? Why? USA did not formally recognise the existence of East Germany and were committed to German reunification. What? This led to the USA refusing the Berlin Ultimatum and stayed in Berlin. Despite a series of summits between 1959 and 1961 at Paris, Camp David, Vienna and Geneva, no progress was made on the Berlin question other than Khrushchev repeating his demand and America resisting it.

Tensions rise - 1961 Why? Khrushchev became more bullish in his approach towards the USA. The failed conferences and summits as well as the U2 incident had made Khrushchev suspicious of the West. Khrushchev saw new US President, John F. Kennedy, as weak and inexperienced and someone he could bully. What? No progress was being made with the Berlin question. US committed more money to defence spending and building nuclear fallout shelters. Significant? A stalemate was reached as both sides refused to compromise.

A Wall in Berlin? - 1961 Why? Khrushchev realised that the USSR could not win a nuclear war. USA had 20 times the amount of nuclear bombs and they were placed close enough for the USSR unable to react in time. Kennedy’s refused to withdraw from Berlin, called Khrushchev’s bluff who was forced to back down from his ultimatum. The refugee problem continued and Khrushchev had to block that route to the West.

The Berlin Wall is built - 1961 What? On the night of 12th August 1961, on orders from Moscow, East German soldiers and police put up a barbed wire fence around West Berlin. The fence was then reinforced with a high brick wall topped with barbed wire, with a no man’s land created stuffed with mines and machine gun towers which were heavily guarded. Anyone caught trying to cross the wall was shot. 171 people would be shot between 1961 and 1989.

The Berlin Wall is built - 1961 Significance? The Berlin Wall stopped the refugee crisis. Khrushchev avoided war and direct confrontation with America but still appeared strong and defiant. Kennedy was seen as all talk and no action failing to confront Khrushchev. Confrontation of USA and USSR tanks at Checkpoint Charlie in October 1961, led to fears that the Berlin Wall had not ended the Berlin Crisis. Only a secret message from Kennedy to Khrushchev eased tension. Kennedy made his famous ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ Speech in 1963.

Task Group the following statements in the following groups – Causes of the building of the Berlin Wall. Consequences of the building of the Berlin Wall. For each group decide on the three most significant events and explain their significance. The USSR realised it could not win a nuclear war. The East German economy lost skilled workers. The problem of the division of Berlin was solved. Refugees were unable to leave East Germany. Many people escaped East Germany to West Germany. Khrushchev avoided war with America. The East German government was unpopular. Kennedy refused to back down. Peter Fechler killed – the first victim of the Berlin Wall An important symbol of the Cold War was created. Kennedy showed solidarity with West Berliners. Kennedy increased the defence budget.

Task This visual hexagon activity helps you make links between the different areas of the Berlin Wall being built. In pairs, make links between each hexagon and write two sentences for each link explaining them fully.