DOCSLIB.ORG

Joint Cabinet Crisis - Berlin Crisis of 1961

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Joint Cabinet Crisis - Berlin Crisis of 1961 Joint Cabinet Crisis - Berlin Crisis of 1961 North Atlantic Treaty Organization _____________________________________________NewMUN 2019: The Berlin Crisis of 1961 ​ Index A Letter from the Secretary-General 2 Letter from the Chair 3 History of Committee 3 Prelude to the Crisis of Berlin 4 The Formation of the NATO 4 The Formation of the Warsaw Pact 5 Proxy Wars 6 West and East Germany 6 West and East Germany Economy 7 Emigration and Defection Crisis 7 Khrushchev’s Ultimatum 8 Current Situation 8 Committee Objectives 10 Bibliography 11 _________________________________1_________________________________ ​ _____________________________________________NewMUN 2019: The Berlin Crisis of 1961 ​ Letter from the Secretary-General Dear Delegates and Faculty Advisors, order to have a MUN conference of the best quality. The topics that we have Welcome to NewMUN 2019! Before chosen tackle issues from the past, anything, I would like to wish you the best present, and future, therefore presenting a of luck in this two-day conference which challenge for delegates to combine their is going to bring together the best MUN knowledge and application to reach delegates from Lima. I am sure that I will solutions. In many of the committees, witness the highest level of debate at this conference. Directors have been prepared to take the flow of the committee to a maximum More than as a MUNer, but as a moment of crisis in order to assess the responsible citizen, I understand that the networking and negotiating skill from global issues in our world must be solved delegates. by the international community. I also understand that MUN delegates don't I will just like to leave you the message, have the capabilities to take the decisions that the only way to be successful is to to change the world, but at least we have give your best. As Eric Thomas once said: the capacity to outrage ourselves when "You will be successful when you want seeing that something is not working for something as hard as you want to our well being. That capacity to go out breath". and speak for your beliefs, to stand up and raise the flag of your country I wish you the best of luck in your demanding for consensus, demanding for committees and hope you have an peace, demanding for the well being of amazing time in NewMUN 2019! everyone. That capacity is the only way in which countries can move forward, and it Sincerely, is the only way in which we will contribute Santiago Bustamante to building a better world. Maybe a little Secretary-General visionary, but is the truth. This year, the Newton team has decided to increase the number of committees in _________________________________2_________________________________ ​ _____________________________________________NewMUN 2019: The Berlin Crisis of 1961 ​ Letter from the Chair Esteemed Delegates, It is of my utmost pleasure to present myself as one of the Chairs for this year’s Joint Crisis Committee for Newton MUN 2019! My name is Marina, and I have been fascinated by international relations and enjoying MUN for four years now, having finished school just last year. I have to say it has definitely been a wild ride. History has always been my favorite subject and it is extremely exciting to recreate yet another great example of historical brinkmanship! Throughout the last couple of years MUN has given me so many things that I will never stop being grateful for. To think that one shy, curious person can turn into a striking, outspoken one through the simple debate of what one is passionate for is crazy. I really hope you are all as excited as I am for this committee, having the privilege of chairing alongside two of the best people I know has got to show some interesting results! ​ ​ The only thing I ask of you is to not conform to the past, try out new strategies and perspectives, be creative. I urge you all to be bold and take risks, but bear in mind the repercussions of your actions. If you have any doubts feel free to ask me any questions, I am here to help you! “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”—President John F. Kennedy, January 20, 1961. Kind Regards, Marina Velasco _________________________________3_________________________________ ​ _____________________________________________NewMUN 2019: The Berlin Crisis of 1961 ​ History of Committee Prelude to the Crisis of Berlin The Formation of the NATO Following the end of World War II, the sanctions imposed on Germany can be said to have unchained one of the darkest periods in German history, having a lasting effect on the country’s economy Fig 1. Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and Henry and morale. Truman shaking hands at the Potsdam Conference in 1945 There were two newly implemented superpowers: the United States and the In the meantime, anti-communist Soviet Union. The Soviet Union and it’s propaganda was massively distributed by communist ideology spread all over political figures in the United States and Eastern Europe. An inherent rivalry the United Kingdom. While in the United between these two superpowers emerged States support for the Truman Doctrine1 as a result of mutual distrust and the and the Marshall Plan2 became American effort to exclude the Soviet increasingly popular, the strong Union from the international community anti-communist point of view of Churchill as their expansion was seen as a threat. was hardly missed. With his famous Iron This fear was not irrational. Curtain Speech, he marked the first instance of the intentions of the Soviet During the Potsdam Conference, held Union trying to divide Europe under from the 17th of July to the 2nd of August communist control. Nevertheless, this did of 1945, the leaders of the USA, UK and not stop the Soviet Union from creating USSR met to discuss what would be the Cominform on the 5th of October of done with Germany and the rest of the 1947, grouping all the communist political territory forcefully occupied during the parties of Europe. Nazi regime. Not just limited to the latter goal, the Potsdam Conference was also The European nations feared that a intended to be the first step towards communist revolution would take over rebuilding the political scenario in the modern world and to establish peace 1 The Truman Doctrine was an US policy amongst the new superpowers. However, under the Truman administration were this failed because of the amount of geopolitical, economic and military support territory that the USSR had in control at would be given to countries opposed or not the time of the conference. This resulted set under a communist regime. This was seen firstly seen during the Greek Civil War where in the division of Germany between the the US supported with $400 million to the allied occupied territory, West Germany, non-communist bloc. and the Soviet-occupied land, East 2 The Marshall Plan was intended to attract Germany or the German Democratic the interest of countries that were devastated ​ during WWII with the promise by remaining Republic (GDR). capitalist. In return, the countries would be given economic aid for the reconstruction of their governmental infrastructure, armies, etc. _________________________________4_________________________________ ​ _____________________________________________NewMUN 2019: The Berlin Crisis of 1961 ​ Europe by either military, economic or States to protect each other nation by political manners. In that sense, Belgium, lending military aid if the state is France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and prejudice, but at the same time restrain the United Kingdom signed the Brussels from any unnecessary military activity. Pact, founding the Western Union. The The treaty is signed by the latter countries Soviet Union responded with the Berlin mentioned the 4th of April of 1949. Blockade, leaving no option towards the creation of the Western Union Defence The Formation of the Warsaw Pact Organization (WEDO). Nevertheless, this In 1954, after the death of Joseph Stalin proved to be effortless as that same year, and the appointment of Nikita Khrushchev a coup d’etat organized by the the minister of Foreign affairs of the communist party and supported by the Soviet Union commented in the creation Soviet Union, took the government of of the NATO as an aggressive pact as it Czechoslovakia, turning another was the only member of the anti-Hitler European country into a communist coalition not included. He suggested that satellite. Parallely, the Soviet Union the only manner to change this would be Forces organized what it would be known to accept the inclusion of the Soviet as the Berlin Blockade of 1948, blocking Union into NATO. The proposal would be all roads, canals, and tracks directing to accepted under the two conditions that the allied occupied Berlin. this would be the Soviet Union would have brief as Joseph Stalin would lift the comprehensive control of its military control and planning and to secure the freedom and democracy amongst its territory. However, in the end, the proposal was rejected and categorized as “completely unreal”. This is because all action taken by NATO needed be unanimous. Fearing that the NATO or the European blockade the 12th of May of 1949. Defence Community would take future actions against the Soviet Union, the Fig 2. Joseph Stalin with the newly assigned Prime minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR Minister of Czechoslovakia, Klement Gottwald in proposed the creation of the European 1946. General Agreement with the proposed Fearing another European country would inclusion of the United States. However, be struck by another communist coup this was perceived as an action against d’etat, the European leaders met with NATO with the purpose of its liquidation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • John F. Kennedy and Berlin Nicholas Labinski Marquette University
    Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Master's Theses (2009 -) Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Projects Evolution of a President: John F. Kennedy and Berlin Nicholas Labinski Marquette University Recommended Citation Labinski, Nicholas, "Evolution of a President: John F. Kennedy and Berlin" (2011). Master's Theses (2009 -). Paper 104. http://epublications.marquette.edu/theses_open/104 EVOLUTION OF A PRESIDENT: JOHN F. KENNEDYAND BERLIN by Nicholas Labinski A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 2011 ABSTRACT EVOLUTION OF A PRESIDENT: JOHN F. KENNEDYAND BERLIN Nicholas Labinski Marquette University, 2011 This paper examines John F. Kennedy’s rhetoric concerning the Berlin Crisis (1961-1963). Three major speeches are analyzed: Kennedy’s Radio and Television Report to the American People on the Berlin Crisis , the Address at Rudolph Wilde Platz and the Address at the Free University. The study interrogates the rhetorical strategies implemented by Kennedy in confronting Khrushchev over the explosive situation in Berlin. The paper attempts to answer the following research questions: What is the historical context that helped frame the rhetorical situation Kennedy faced? What rhetorical strategies and tactics did Kennedy employ in these speeches? How might Kennedy's speeches extend our understanding of presidential public address? What is the impact of Kennedy's speeches on U.S. German relations and the development of U.S. and German Policy? What implications might these speeches have for the study and execution of presidential power and international diplomacy? Using a historical-rhetorical methodology that incorporates the historical circumstances surrounding the crisis into the analysis, this examination of Kennedy’s rhetoric reveals his evolution concerning Berlin and his Cold War strategy.
    [Show full text]
  • Cuban Missile Crisis Final
    US and USSR Joint Crisis Committee Cuban Missile Crisis St. John's Preparatory School • Danvers, Massachusetts • 9 December 2017 1! Letter from the chair Delegates, Welcome to the Cuban Missile Crisis joint crisis. My name is Trevaughn and I’m currently a senior at St. John's Prep and this is my fourth year as a member of Model UN. When I'm not involved in Model UN, I spend my time in the Science and Technology Club, while also playing football and rugby. As one of the highest stakes diplomatic crises of the 20th century, the Cuban Missile Crisis holds a unique place in US history. The actions that took place in the Cuban Missile Crisis has shaped America's current foreign policy. I look forward to see how the Missile Crisis plays out in my commit- tee. If you need to contact me, my email is [email protected] Sincerely, Trevaughn Wright-Reynolds, Class of 2018 Committee Description The joint crisis committee on the Cuban Missile Crisis consists of the opposing American Ex- ecutive committee (Excomm), and the Soviet Politburo. Both of these committees served to advise the heads of state of the United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) during times of crisis, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Although both groups exist only to advise the respective heads of state of the US and USSR, for the purposes of this committee, all mem- bers will have a single vote regarding resolutions and directives.The delegates representing Kennedy 2! and Khrushchev will have veto power over all resolutions and directives, although this veto can be overridden by a ⅔ majority.
    [Show full text]
  • At Checkpoint Charlie, US and Soviet Tanks Faced Each Other at Point-Blank Range
    At Checkpoint Charlie, US and Soviet tanks faced each other at point-blank range. AP Ppoto/Kreusch 92 AIR FORCE Magazine / September 2011 Showdown in BerlinBy John T. Correll any place was ground zero for the The First Crisis from the 1948 confrontation—Walter Cold War, it was Berlin. The first Berlin crisis was in 1948, Ulbricht, the Communist Party boss in Awash in intrigue, the former when the Soviets and East Germans East Germany. capital of the Third Reich lay 110 attempted to cut the city off from the Ulbricht, handpicked for the job by miles inside the Iron Curtain but outside world. However, three air the Soviet Premier, Joseph Stalin, was was not part of East Germany. corridors into Berlin, each 20 miles charmless, intense, and dogmatic, but IEach of the four victorious powers in wide, remained open. The Americans a good administrator and a reliable en- Europe in World War II—the United and British responded with the Berlin forcer of Soviet hegemony. Stalin had States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Airlift, which sustained West Berlin visions of a unified Germany as part Union—held control of a sector of the with food, fuel, and other supplies from of the Soviet sphere of influence, but city, which would be preserved as the June 1948 to September 1949. Ulbricht had so antagonized the popu- future capital of a reunified Germany. Some senior officials in the US De- lace the Communists had no chance of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev partment of State had favored abandon- winning free elections. called it “the most dangerous place in the ing Berlin.
    [Show full text]
  • US Army, Berlin, 1961-1994
    COLD WARRIORS, GOOD NEIGHBORS, SMART POWER: U.S. ARMY, BERLIN, 1961-1994 Rex A. Childers A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY August 2015 Committee: Beth A. Griech-Polelle, Advisor Marc V. Simon Graduate Faculty Representative Bill Allison Michael E. Brooks © 2015 Rex Childers All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Beth Griech-Polelle, Advisor The end of the Cold War and the manner in which it was “won” by the Allied nations ignited debate over the utility of military power as a source of American leadership in the new unipolar world. A popular theme arose, that a new form of state power, soft power, had the capacity to achieve America’s interests as it prepared to enter the 21st century. The idea that expensive and dangerous technologies could be replaced by investments in peaceful means of influence, wielded by America’s foreign policy professionals to foster a new cooperative spirit in the world, was naturally attractive. The United States could be relieved of much of its global military presence and reduce its military’s intrusions upon foreign people and their cultures. This dissertation challenges the assumption that the impact of military stationing in the Cold War was limited to hard power. In the case of the U.S. Army in Berlin, the unit and its members practiced civic, social, cultural, and political behaviors that meet the criteria of the post-Cold War branded term, soft power. In their daily interactions with Berliners, they exercised the full spectrum of foreign policy smart power tools, as Cold Warrior defenders of West Berlin and in compliance with U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Building of the Berlin Wall
    BUILDING OF THE BERLIN WALL a A CITY TORN APART b A CITY TORN APART OF BUILDING THE BERLIN WALL in conjunction with a symposium given on 27 OCTOBER 2011 at the NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, DC WASHINGTON, DC RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND at the 27 OCTOBER 2011 in conjunction with a symposium given on BUILDING BERLIN WALL OF ITY TORN APART A C BUILDING OF THE BERLIN WALL brandenburg gate Built in 1791, standing 85 feet high, 215 feet long and 36 feet wide, this former city gate is one of the most iconic symbols of Berlin and Germany. Throughout its existence it has served as a visual representation of various political ideologies, ranging from Prussia’s imperialism to East Germany’s communism. It was closed by the East Germans on 14 August 1961 in a response to West Berliners’ demonstration against the building of the wall dividing their city into East and West. It remained closed until 22 December 1989. Its design is based upon the gate way to the Propylaea, the entry into the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It has 12 Doric columns, six to a side, forming five passageways. The central archway is crowned by the Quadriga, a statue consisting of a four horse chariot driven by Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory. After Napoleon’s defeat, the Quadriga was returned to Berlin and the wreath of oak leaves on Victoria was replaced with the new symbol of Prussia, the Iron Cross. i A CITYC ITY TORNTO RN APART a family divided A couple from Berlin may never see each other again because they became separated by the newly formed Berlin Wall.
    [Show full text]
  • How Did the Doctrine of Flexible Response Contribute to the Resolution of the Berlin Crisis of 1961?
    John Tiplady p. 1. How did the Doctrine of Flexible Response Contribute to the Resolution of the Berlin Crisis of 1961? The expansion of conventional forces, hardline rhetoric and propaganda initiatives, in anticipation of a crisis affecting US access to West Berlin, served to convince Nikita Khrushchev of the Kennedy administration’s willingness to use military force to protect their position in Berlin. These tactics demonstrated “flexible response” in action and ensured a temporary and peaceful resolution to the Berlin question. John F. Kennedy’s use of political and military pressure resulted in a softening of Khrushchev’s stance on Berlin and the construction of the Berlin Wall; an action which posed a far less significant threat to the US than a Soviet Union (USSR) - East German (GDR) peace treaty which Khrushchev had previously threatened. The actions of the Kennedy administration at the Vienna Summit, actions taken in the lead up to the wall’s construction, and Kennedy’s response thereafter, demonstrated adherence to the key tenets of flexible response: moderation, proportionality and the exploration of diplomacy. Reflecting on the events of 1961 at a North Atlantic Council Ministerial meeting in April 1962, Robert McNamara stated “that it is not unlikely that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) non-nuclear buildup conveyed to the Soviets the right message about Berlin. Greater manpower in Berlin gave the Soviets second thoughts.”1 This essay will argue that the Kennedy administration’s application of the doctrine of flexible response heavily contributed to a peaceful outcome to the Berlin Crisis by ensuring proportional U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • THE BERLIN CRISIS of 1961 the Origins and Management of a Crisis
    THE BERLIN CRISIS OF 1961 The Origins and Management of a Crisis David G. Coleman Submitted as partial requirement for the degree of B.A. Honours, The University of Queensland 1995 I declare that this thesis is my own work and has not been submitted ui any form for another degree or diploma at any university or other institute of tertiary education. Information derived from the published or unpubhshed work of others has been acknowledged and a Hst of references is given. David G. Coleman October 1995 A cknowledgement I would like to thank Dr. Joseph M. Siracusa for assistance in the preparation of this thesis. His guidance and insights into United States foreign policy have been greatly appreciated. Contents CONTENTS Preface 1 Chapter One The Partition of Germany Chapter Two Eisenhower and Berlin 23 Chapter Three The Crisis of 1961: January - July 40 Chapter Four The Crisis of 1961: Resolution 54 Conclusion 69 Bibliography 74 Maps Partition of Germany 16 The Berlin Wall 57 Preface PREFACE In December 1961, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower reflected that "Berlin is not so much a beleaguered city or threatened city as it is a symbol - for the West, of principle, of good faith, of determination; for the Soviets, a thorn in their flesh, a wound to their pride, an impediment to their designs."' He had played an integral part in the development of the German situation, firstly as Supreme Commander of the AlHed Forces in Europe, and later as President of the United States. During this period Beriin was one issue around which many others were gathered.
    [Show full text]
  • Berlin & the Origins of Detente
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2010 Berlin & the Origins of Detente: multilateral & bilateral negotiations in the Berlin Crisis, 1958-1963 Richard Dean Williamson Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Williamson, Richard Dean, "Berlin & the Origins of Detente: multilateral & bilateral negotiations in the Berlin Crisis, 1958-1963" (2010). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 3908. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/3908 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. BERLIN & THE ORIGINS OF DETENTE: MULTILATERAL & BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS IN THE BERLIN CRISIS, 1958-1963 A Dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of History by Richard D. Williamson B.A., University of New Orleans, 1990 M.F.A. University of New Orleans, 1993 M.A, University of New Orleans, 2006 December 2010 Preface I became interested in a longer range interpretation of the Berlin crisis while researching a seminar paper for Dr. Guenter Bischof at the University of New Orleans. I was familiar with the Wall and the Airlift, but hadn‟t understood that the crisis began in 1958 with Nikita Khrushchev‟s demands for a „free city‟ (without Western troops) and a German peace treaty.
    [Show full text]
  • New Evidence on the Berlin Crisis 1958-1962
    200 COLD WAR INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PROJECT BULLETIN 11 New Evidence on the Berlin Crisis 1958-1962 Khrushchev’s November 1958 Berlin Ultimatum: New Evidence from the Polish Archives Introduction, translation, and annotation by Douglas Selvage1 t was on 10 November 1958, at a Soviet-Polish domestic and foreign policies, especially with regard to friendship rally to cap off the visit of Polish leader trade and cultural relations with the West.5 In contrast, IW»adys»aw Gomu»ka to Moscow, that Soviet leader Khrushchev’s Berlin gambit presaged an increase in Nikita Khrushchev first publicly announced his intention tensions between East and West. Although it might have to turn over the Soviet Union’s control functions in Berlin been aimed indirectly at preventing West German access to the German Democratic Republic (GDR). to nuclear weapons, the central goal was to gain Western Khrushchev’s speech was the prelude to his letter of recognition of the GDR.6 Khrushchev’s Berlin ultimatum November 27 to the Western powers, in which he meant, in effect, that the struggle within the Eastern bloc demanded that they enter into negotiations for a German between Poland and the GDR over what was to come first peace treaty and on the issue of transforming West Berlin in Soviet-bloc foreign policy—regional disarmament or into a demilitarized, “free” city. If sufficient progress recognition of the GDR—had been decided in the East were not made within six months, Khrushchev threatened Germans’ favor.7 to sign a separate peace treaty with the GDR and to grant it In the session on November 10, Gomu»ka let control over the transit routes to Berlin.2 Khrushchev do the talking.
    [Show full text]
  • Key Themes and Contents Coverage Reasons for the Cold War Long-Term Rivalry Between Soviet Union and West. Differences During T
    Option C8: A World Divided: Superpower Relations 1945-62 Revision Checklist Key themes and contents coverage Reasons for the Cold War Long-term rivalry between Soviet Union and West. Differences during the Second World War and at Yalta and Potsdam. Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Attitude of Truman. Students should be aware of the ideological differences between capitalism and communism. Early developments in the Cold War, 1945-49 Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe. Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan. Differences over Germany. Causes, events and results of the Berlin Crisis (1948-9). Setting up of NATO. Students should be aware of developments in China and the Soviet testing of the atomic bomb. The Cold War in the 1950s Korean War. Khrushchev and peaceful co-existence. The Warsaw Pact. Causes, events and results of Hungarian uprising. The Berlin Crisis of 1961 U2 incident (1960). Reasons for construction of Berlin Wall. Students should be aware of more long term factors and the failure of a negotiated settlement Its effects on relations between East and West and on Germany. The Cuban Missiles Crisis Castro and relations with USA and Soviet Union. Bay of Pigs. Kennedy and missile sites. Key events of crisis (this includes how it was eventually resolved) Impact on East-West relations (this means the immediate effects more especially the hot-line). Reasons for the Cold War What was the Cold War? The end of the Second World War saw the emergence of two superpowers, the USA and the USSR, who were locked in a struggle which lasted for 45 years. This was known as the Cold War.
    [Show full text]
  • German-Soviet Relations and the International System
    W&M ScholarWorks Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects 1994 German-Soviet Relations and the International System Michael Joseph Deets College of William & Mary - Arts & Sciences Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd Part of the International Relations Commons Recommended Citation Deets, Michael Joseph, "German-Soviet Relations and the International System" (1994). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. Paper 1539625912. https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/s2-wcw6-7694 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GERMAN-SOVIET RELATIONS AND THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Department of Government The College of William and Mary in Virginia In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Michael Joseph Deets 1994 APPROVAL SHEET This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Author Approved, May 1994 Alan J. War' Clayton M. Clemens David A. Dessler DEDICATION This manuscript is dedicated to my mother, without whose encouragement, it would not have been possible. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................. v ABSTRACT ............................................. vi INTRODUCTION ................................................ 2 PART O N E ...................................................... 13 CHAPTER I:...............BREST-LITOVSK ...................... 15 CHAPTER II: THE RAPALLO TREATY ..................... 24 CHAPTER III: THE MOLOTOV-VON RIPPENTROP PACT ........... 40 PART T W O ...................................................... 49 CHAPTER IV: THE STALIN NOTE .....................
    [Show full text]
  • Challenging Détente
    Challenging détente A European multilateral perspective on détente that originates from the checkpoint Charlie standoff and the threat to European security [email protected] International Relations specialisation Yannick van Hattem History Bachelor Thesis (5989701) (GE3V18002) Supervisor: Words: 7971 Dr. Paschalis Pechlivanis Pages: 33 Date: 22-01-2021 Annotation Style: Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition - Notes and Bibliography Style Abstract The historiography surrounding the Cold War was dominated by a bipolar and American conception of its course immediately after its conclusion. Authors such as J. Hanhimäki and Angela Romano challenged this perception by addressing the multilateral dynamic that was found in Europe. This challenge opened the door for détente to be viewed from a distinctly European perspective. Subsequently, this thesis exposes that détente was seen as a viable route to pursue in Europe in the early 1960s. Memorandums and government documents surrounding the Berlin Crisis of 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 uncover a European rhetoric focussed on détente that diverged from their American ally, who pursued detente in the late 1960s. The Checkpoint Charlie standoff proved to be the tipping point enabling this European mindset towards détente. 2 Table of contents Introduction 4 i. The Cold War and European détente; The multilateral aspects of the Cold War 8 ii. European détente in practice; A comparative case study Checkpoint Charlie standoff 14 Cuban Missile Crisis 21 Conclusion 26 Bibliography 28 3 Introduction After the devastation of the Second World War, two superpowers emerged dominating global politics: The USA and the USSR. The period that followed came to be known as the Cold War, lasting from 1945 until 1991; the year that saw the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
    [Show full text]