1. 1961, the fateful year
Visit the website, Chronicle of the Wall to look at the detailed timeline of events in 1961. Each month of the timeline details the number of refugees registered in West Berlin, as well as the political developments between the Cold War powers.
Select two months, one before August and one after August. Summarize the key developments that took place. What are the noteworthy differences between the events before and after the sector border in Berlin was closed?
2. Kennedy and Khruschev
Watch this video about the dueling visits by Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet Premier, and John F. Kennedy, the President of the United States, to Berlin in 1963, pay particular attention to the eyewitness accounts and the images associated with these visits by the leaders of the two competing, global superpowers.
- How was Kennedy’s visit described? What images are shown?
- How was Krushchev’s visit described? What images are show for his visit?
- According to the eyewitnesses interviewed, what were the key differences between the two powerful leaders who visited?
3. President Kennedy’s Speech
Kennedy’s line, “Ich bin ein Berliner,“ is well known. Also, in this speech, Kennedy proclaims belief in the instructive power of Berlin. As you watch the video and read the transcript of his speech, identify the lessons a visit to the city teaches.
- What can the world learn from the example of Berlin?
- According to Kennedy, what does the construction of the Wall make clear about the Communist system?
- What ideas are expressed in Kennedy’s use of the line, “ich bin ein Berliner”?
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