"To what extent was actual confrontation between the USA and the USSR only a remote possibility in the years 1956-1961?"

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  • Created by: DAFE16
  • Created on: 26-01-17 20:50

"To what extent was actual confrontation between the USA and the USSR only a remote possibility in the years 1956-1961?"

Advantages

  • Argues that actual confrontation between the USA and the USSR was only a remote possibility
  • Both the USA and the USSR, despite the tense situation in Berlin, were eager to make decisive solutions using diplomacy - Summit Diplomacy (Camp David visit by Khrushchev 1959 & Geneva Conference 1959)
  • Though no decisive conclusions were reached, however, a Paris Summit in 1960 was planned - shows that both sides want to avoid actual confrontation
  • The USSR used to resolve the Berlin Problem by building a wall, rather than escalating it into a war - shows that USSR are unwilling to take the risks of going into war (actual confrontation)
  • Eisenhower and Khrushchev had planned to make Test ban treaties to resolve the situation with the Arms Race

Disadvantages

  • Argues that actual confrontation between the USA and the USSR was only a remote possibility
  • Diplomatic negotiations over Berlin ended with the U-2 Affair - Heightened tensions between the USSR and USA
  • Khrushchev had issued the Berlin Ultimatum in 1958, threatening to sign a separate treaty with the GDR
  • The Arms Race actually heightened tensions between the USA and the USSR - Strategic Air Command created and the concept of missile gap; fear amongst the American population
  • Checkpoint Charlie had proven to be one of the most tensest moments in the Cold War - tanks from USSR and USA at either side

Evaluation

Though the Summit diplomacies had proven to be a significant evidence for proving that there was a remote possibility of an actual confrontation between the USA and the USSR, nevertheless, at the midst of them many events had actually only heightened the possibility of a confrontation even further - One of the tensest moments in the Cold War = Checkpoint Charlie.It also important to consider the Arms Race between both sides, which heightened tensions, and the Berlin Ultimatum of 1958 had also a great impact in tensions between East and West between 1959-1961.

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blackpantha

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very helpful