Cold War Crises： Berlin vs Cuba Causes

related: Cold War Crises: Effects of Berlin vs Cuba

Introduction Body Berlin

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Miscellaneous Notes

• Berlin

  • Political
    • Different objectives
      • The USSR wanted a weak communist Germany to exploit its resources and receive reparations.
      • The West wanted a strong capitalist Germany as a shield against communism, but also expected free elections that could potentially lead to communism.
      • However, both sides wanted Germany to be united.
    • Increasing lack of trust, Factors of the Breakdown of the Grand Alliance
    • Berlin City Election 1946
      • Communist Party lost by 20%
      • Stalin realized that reunification was not naturally possible.
  • Economic
    • Initial agreement:
      • USSR would provide food since East Germany had more agricultural land.
      • US would provide coal and industrial goods.
    • However, both sides failed to uphold the agreements.
    • As a result, both sides of Germany suffered from a lack of resources.
      • The US and UK decided to unite their regions and create Bizonia to strengthen the economy.
        • (anti-Yalta agreement)
    • Bizonia Currency
      • 
        • Important claim that it was a defensive measure to block the blockade.

• Cuba

  • Ideological
    • Communism was more anti-imperialistic and pursued racial equality, leading former colonies to become communist.
  • Arms Race
    • Both sides feared each other because they did not know how many missiles the other side had.
    • Khrushchev bluffed.
  • 
    • The Bay of Pigs invasion led to fear and mistrust against the US, causing Castro to become more communist.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jtqPfD4l_B_b54bEKFJhqE8evLvndFuVJNHcnqYLgz4/edit