18.1.11

The Refugee Problem in Berlin

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The Refugee Problem in Berlin

The living conditions in West Berlin were better than in East Berlin. This caused many people living in East Berlin to leave. From 1949 to 1961, 2.7 million East Germans entered West Berlin.

Illustrative background for East and West BerlinIllustrative background for East and West Berlin ?? "content

East and West Berlin

  • The western zone of Berlin gave the USA a foothold inside the Eastern bloc.
  • Many East Germans were aware that living conditions were better and wages higher in West Berlin.
  • Reaching the West was made easier by the existence of the western zone in Berlin.
Illustrative background for Refugees and workersIllustrative background for Refugees and workers ?? "content

Refugees and workers

  • From 1949 to 1961, 2.7 million East Germans entered West Berlin.
    • The West German economy benefitted from the skilled labourers, while the East suffered a skills shortage.
Illustrative background for The Berlin Ultimatum, November 1958Illustrative background for The Berlin Ultimatum, November 1958 ?? "content

The Berlin Ultimatum, November 1958

  • In November 1958, the USSR issued an ultimatum.
  • It stated that all of Berlin belonged to East Germany and that Western troops must withdraw within six months.
Illustrative background for Response to the ultimatumIllustrative background for Response to the ultimatum ?? "content

Response to the ultimatum

  • The ultimatum led to a series of meetings between the leaders of the two powers.
    • Initial meetings in 1959 led to no solution.
    • By January 1961, a solution had still not been found.
  • Neither side wanted to back down and the USSR reissued the ultimatum over Berlin.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

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