Why was the Berlin Wall Built in 1961? | History for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

The Refugee Crisis in Berlin by 1958

• The more formal division between East and West Germany had significant consequences for Berliners.
• The FRG (Federal Republic of Germany) offered more rights and freedom.
• The FRG's economy was robust in the 1950s.
• The Western powers governed West Berlin as a democracy.
• The GDR (German Democratic Republic) faced many problems.
  • East Germans experienced food shortages.
  • The USSR's economic policies failed to improve the East German economy.
  • Many East Berliners lived in poor-quality housing and lacked freedom of speech and protest.
  • The Stasi, the secret police, monitored dissent, arresting and torturing many East Germans.
• By the 1950s, many East Germans were unhappy with Soviet rule.
  • On June 16, 1953, East Berlin construction workers protested against the East German government.
  • The protest spread across East Berlin and multiple towns in the GDR.
  • The USSR suppressed the revolt on June 18, 1953.
• Many East Germans began to leave.
  • There was free movement between East and West Berlin.
  • East Germans could travel to West Berlin and then fly to the FRG.
• The fleeing East Germans created a refugee crisis.
  • West Germany struggled to accommodate the influx of new citizens.
  • East Germany faced a significant population decline, resulting in a shortage of people to perform high-skilled jobs.

How Serious was the Refugee Crisis?

• Escaping the German Democratic Republic (GDR) through East Berlin posed a significant challenge by the late 1950s.
• Approximately three million Germans had fled the GDR by 1958, constituting about one-sixth of East Germany's population at that time.

Khrushchev's Ultimatum, November 1958

What is an Ultimatum?

• An ultimatum is a warning from one party to another, stating that failure to comply with certain demands will lead to negative consequences. These consequences often involve the threat of physical violence or war.
• Typically, an ultimatum is issued as a last resort, indicating a breakdown in communication between the involved parties. It is a result of unresolved issues that have escalated to a critical point.
• Before delivering an ultimatum, there is usually a history of unresolved disputes or conflicts between the parties.
• The ultimatum sets a deadline for the other party to make a decision before facing the specified consequences. This deadline is usually short to exert pressure on the recipient to act swiftly.

What Did Khrushchev's Ultimatum Threaten?

• In October 1958, Khrushchev demanded that the West acknowledge the GDR as an independent country under the USSR.
• Since 1949, many Western countries refused to accept the division of Germany into two nations.
• The USA desired German reunification and rejected Khrushchev's demand.
• On 27th October 1958, Khrushchev issued an ultimatum to the West.

The Context of Khrushchev's Ultimatum:

• Khrushchev's ultimatum pressured the USA by demanding Berlin to be a 'free city', portraying the USSR as peaceful.
• Refusal by the USA: If the United States declined, it would portray them as power-hungry.
• Khrushchev's True Intentions: Contrary to appearances, Khrushchev did not aim for Berlin's independence but sought to integrate the entire city into the USSR.

Utilizing Control over Berlin's Transport Network:

• Clever Political Maneuver: By assigning control of Berlin's transport network to the German Democratic Republic (GDR), a tactical move was made.
• Negotiation Strategy: This action compelled the West to engage in talks with the GDR to maintain access to West Berlin.
• Recognition of GDR: Consequently, the USA would be compelled to recognize the GDR as an autonomous nation, highlighting the divided status of Germany.

Building the Berlin Wall, 1961

• The circumstances in Berlin necessitated swift action from Khrushchev.
• The breakdown of the Vienna Summit in June instilled fear among East Germans.
• More than 40,000 East Germans fled the GDR through Berlin in a single day in August.
• Walter Ulbricht, the GDR's leader, implored Khrushchev to act promptly to stem the exodus.
• On the night of 12th August 1961, the East German government erected barbed wire between East and West Berlin and stationed guards along the barrier.
• Subsequently, the barbed wire barrier evolved into a concrete structure, culminating in the construction of the Berlin Wall during the 1960s.

Consequences of the Berlin Wall

• The building of the Berlin Wall resulted in severe repercussions for the residents of Berlin. Previously, there was unrestricted movement between East and West Berlin, allowing many individuals to travel back and forth for various reasons such as visiting family, friends, or work.
• This sudden barrier led to numerous people being trapped in East Berlin, separating families and friends across the city for extensive periods. The emotional toll of this separation was profound.
• Despite the dangers, many East Germans persisted in trying to escape to West Berlin, with over 130 individuals losing their lives in attempts to breach the Wall between 1961 and 1989.
• Notable among these tragic incidents was the failed escape of Peter Fechter in 1962, which garnered international attention. Fechter was shot by GDR border guards while attempting to flee, falling into the perilous no-man's-land between the two German states.
• Tragically, the inadequacies of the response to Fechter's injuries led to his death within 45 minutes, as both GDR and FRG guards failed to provide timely aid.
• The callous handling of Fechter's death by East German officials further tarnished the reputation of the GDR, highlighting the human cost of the Berlin Wall's existence.

Impact on US-Soviet relations

Kennedy's 'Ich Bin Ein Berliner' Speech

• President Kennedy's visit to West Berlin in June 1963 was met with enthusiasm from thousands of West Berliners who lined the streets, offering flowers and chanting his name.
• Kennedy symbolized freedom for the people of West Berlin. His iconic 'Ich bin ein Berliner' ('I am a Berliner') speech on June 26, 1963, further solidified this sentiment.