The Meeting in Geneva
In May 1959, the two super powers, along
with the Allies met at the Big Four ministers conference in Geneva to discuss the future of Germany. At the end of the second World War, the Allies divided Germany into 2 parts; the U.S, Great Britain, and France controlled West Germany, the Soviets controlled East Germany, and Berlin was in the center. The long term plan had been to unite Germany but the cold war halted all progress in that area. On November 27, 1958, Khrushchev issued an ultimatum to the Allies, giving them 6 months to withdrawal from West Berlin, making it a free demilitarized city. If at the end of 6 months their demands were not met, the Soviets would sign a treaty with East Germany, and turn over all lines of communication with West Berlin; the Western powers would then have to ask the Eastern powers for access to Berlin. The Soviet Union gave up on its ultimatum, and agreed to meet in Geneva. Despite the fact that no agreement was met concerning Germany, progress was made, as the U.S extended an official invitation to Khrushchev to the visit the United States. |
This shows the division of Germany around the time of 1945. It continued to be like this throughout much of the Cold War.
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