IB/Group 3/History/Route 2/The Cold War/Germany as a Source of Tension/Summary

0% The two Germanys The two Germanys Germany became two separate political spheres by 1949, divided by the Western and Eastern powers. Economic differences between West Germany and East Germany Economic differences between West Germany and East Germany West Germany had a larger industrial output, larger population, and was larger geographically. West Germany received Marshall aid and underwent an 'economic miracle' and had good living standards. East Germany's leader was Walter Ulbricht. He adopted a forced collectivisation of farms and of socialisation. This was disastrous for the economy. Political differences between West Germany and East Germany Political differences between West Germany and East Germany West Germany had democracy. East Germany had no free elections from 1946 onwards and was Stalinist and authoritarian. East Germany not only protested but fled to the Wast. Some where contained. As a result, there were no efforts by either side to unite Germany. Khrushchev described Berlin as 'a fishbone in East Germany's gullet.' Why did the Berlin Crisis develop? Khrushchev and the crisis of 1958 Khrushchev and the crisis of 1958 West Berlin had political freedom and an open lifestyle which encouraged East Germans to migrate, leaving the hardship of the East, via Berlin. It was mainly young and skilled East Germans that escaped, one-sixth of the German population. The West used Berlin as propaganda and as an espionage hotspot, inside Eastern territory. 1956 Khrushchev proposed a peace treaty. 27 November 1957, Khrushchev demanded Berlin be demilitarised and Western troops withdrawal. Clever diplomacy: If the West did not decide in six months he would surrender access routes to Western sectors to the GDR. The Paris Summit and the U-2 incident, May 1960 The Paris Summit and the U-2 incident, May 1960 Kennedy and fexible response Kennedy and flexible response