The Berlin Crisis
“The Berlin Crisis was ultimately caused by the failure of Khrushchev’s failed foreign policy.” To what extent is this statement true?
To what extent: A mixed perspective (both side have responsibility)
Introduction
Historical context (establish perspective 历史背景描述)
The Berlin crisis is a tense confrontation of USSR and western powers in Berlin, because of their disagreement of the resolution to the Berlin city.
Thesis
The cause of Berlin crisis is mixed, not only the Khrushchev’s failed foreign policy contributed to it, but also western power’s misinterpretation about Khrushchev’s true intentions.
Khrushchev’s failed foreign policy caused the Berlin crisis
Historical Evidence (Historical event)
Khrushchev demand a peace treaty
| Who | Khrushchev and western powers |
| What | That the Berlin was to become a free city govern by UN, and implied that he might use connectional forces, and recognize east and west Germany. He also threatens to withdraw and let western powers to negotiate with east Germany. |
| When | 1958 |
| Where | Inside Berlin |
| Why (cause/effect) | He wanted to stop the brain drain by eliminate this open border with west Germany. |
| Analysis (significance to your argument) | This request was seen as a move to push the integration of Germany and Berlin, so the western powers rejected it. Therefore, the Khrushchev’s failed foreign policy caused the Berlin crisis. |
The western power’s misinterpretation of Khrushchev’s true intentions caused the cold war.
Historical Evidence (Historical event)
Bundestag pass the resolution
| Who | West Germany |
| What | To allow nuclear weapons to be employed on west Germany’s soil. |
| When | 1958 |
| Where | West Germany |
| Why (cause/effect) | They didn’t recognize Khrushchev’s fear of a strong, nationalistic Germany. |
| Analysis (significance to your argument) | This action alarmed Khrushchev and forced him to react, and propose the treaty of making Berlin a free city and recognizing both German states, which lead to the Berlin crisis. |
Conclusion
Continuity
The lack of communication (similarity of causes) between eastern and western blocs lead to many misunderstandings, which ultimately contributed to the rise of Berlin Crisis(The issue).