Berlin during the Cold War

Berlin during the Cold War

The Ideological StruggleThe Ideological StruggleSoviet &

Eastern Bloc Nations[“Iron

Curtain”]

US & the Western

Democracies

GOAL spread world-wide Communism

GOAL “Containment” of Communism & the eventual collapse of the Communist world.[George Kennan]

METHODOLOGIES:

Espionage [KGB vs. CIA]

Arms Race [nuclear escalation]

Ideological Competition for the minds and hearts of Third World peoples [Communist govt. & command economy vs. democratic govt. & capitalist economy] “proxy wars”

Bi-Polarization of Europe [NATO vs. Warsaw Pact]

The “Iron Curtain”The “Iron Curtain”

From Stettin in the Balkans, to Trieste in From Stettin in the Balkans, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an the Adriatic, an iron curtainiron curtain has descended has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lies across the Continent. Behind that line lies the ancient capitals of Central and Eastern the ancient capitals of Central and Eastern Europe.Europe. -- Sir Winston Churchill, 1946-- Sir Winston Churchill, 1946

Marshall Plan [1948]Marshall Plan [1948]

1.1. ““European Recovery European Recovery Program.”Program.”

2.2. Secretary of State, Secretary of State, George MarshallGeorge Marshall

3.3. The U. S. should provide The U. S. should provide aid to aid to allall European nations European nations that need it. This move that need it. This move is not against any country or is not against any country or doctrine, but against hunger, doctrine, but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos.poverty, desperation, and chaos.

4.4. $12.5 billion of US aid to Western $12.5 billion of US aid to Western Europe extended to Eastern Europe Europe extended to Eastern Europe & USSR, [but this was rejected].& USSR, [but this was rejected].

Post-War GermanyPost-War Germany

Berlin Blockade & Airlift Berlin Blockade & Airlift (1948-49)(1948-49)

Premier Nikita Premier Nikita KhrushchevKhrushchev

About the capitalist About the capitalist states, it doesn't states, it doesn't depend on you depend on you whether we whether we (Soviet Union) exist.(Soviet Union) exist.If you don't like us, If you don't like us, don't accept our don't accept our invitations, and don'tinvitations, and don'tinvite us to come invite us to come to see you. Whether to see you. Whether you like it our not, history is on you like it our not, history is on our side. our side. We will bury youWe will bury you. -- . -- 19561956

De-Stalinization De-Stalinization ProgramProgram

The Berlin Wall Goes Up The Berlin Wall Goes Up (1961)(1961)

CheckpoinCheckpointt

CharlieCharlie

Ich bin ein Berliner!Ich bin ein Berliner! (1963) (1963)

President Kennedy President Kennedy tells Berliners that tells Berliners that

the West is with the West is with them!them!

The Federated RepublicThe Federated Republicof Germanyof Germany

1.1. Created in 1949 withCreated in 1949 withthe capital at Bonn.the capital at Bonn.

2.2. Its army limited toIts army limited to12 divisions [275,000].12 divisions [275,000].

3.3. Konrad Adenauer, aKonrad Adenauer, aChristian Democrat,Christian Democrat,was its 1was its 1stst President. President.

Coalition of moderates and Coalition of moderates and conservatives.conservatives.

Pro-Western foreign policy.Pro-Western foreign policy.

German “economic miracle.”German “economic miracle.”

4.4. ““Father of Modern Germany.”Father of Modern Germany.”

German Democratic Republic

Reagan at the Berlin Wall, June 12, 1987

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Fall of the Berlin Wall, Nov. 1989