The building of the Berlin Wall (263)

Cold War Conversations

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 26 November 2022

⏱️ 75 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

From the moment East Germany was formed in 1949, many of its citizens chose to leave to start a new life in the West. By the mid-1950s, the trickle had turned into a flood as large numbers rejected Walter Ulbricht’s Communist paradise. His ‘Workers’ & Peasants’ State’ could not afford to lose the skills and productivity of these key workers, so he proposed a radical solution - to physically fence in the whole population. I speak with Andrew Long, the author of a series of books about Cold War Berlin as we explore the background and build-up to the building of the Berlin Wall, from the closing of the Inner German border to the momentous events of August 1961. We examine in detail how Operation Rose, the operation to close the border between East and West Berlin, was planned and executed and look at how the West reacted. 0:00 Introduction 1:04 Formation and Exodus of East Germany 7:51 Dissent and Exodus in East Germany 15:39 The Unique Situation in Berlin and the Establishment of Air Corridors 18:11 Khrushchev's Ultimatum and the Role of Nuclear Deterrence 24:16 Arrival of JFK and the Renewed Ultimatum 33:27 Operation Rose and the Planning for the Berlin Wall 47:08 Situation at Checkpoint Charlie and Allies' Response 56:43 Propaganda and Defection Post-Border Closure 1:07:30 Rules of Engagement and Fortification of the Berlin Wall 1:11:23 Acknowledgement of Financial Supporters and Donation Call to Action Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ Extra episode info here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode263/ Buy Andrew's books here https://amzn.to/3hI6N2Y and support the podcast. Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Photos and video extra here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode263/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
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0:33.9	setup. The commander's requested permission to bulldoze the wire down.
0:39.7	But because that barrier was a metre behind the actual border, any incursion by Western tanks
0:47.6	would in effect be an invasion of East Berlin, and that could become World War III.
0:55.0	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen
1:01.6	to first-hand Cold War history accounts. Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app or join
1:08.1	our emailing list to keep up with the latest episode.
1:13.7	From the moment East Germany was formed in 1949, many of its citizens chose to leave to start a new life in the West.
1:22.2	By the mid-1950s, the trickle had turned to a flood as large numbers rejected Walter
1:27.3	Albrick's communist paradise.
1:29.8	His workers and peasants' state could not afford to lose the skills and productivity from these key workers,
1:35.8	so he proposed a radical solution to physically fence in the whole population.
1:41.5	I speak with Andrew Long, the author of an excellent series of books about Cold War
1:46.3	Berlin, as we explore the background and build up to the building of the Berlin Wall, from the
1:52.1	closing of the Inner German border to the momentous events of August 1961. We examine in detail how
	...

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