Question

The Berlin Wall
Mike Kubic
2016

How did the United States respond to the construction of the Berlin Wall? Select the TWO best responses.

A. It began preparing options with its British and French allies to tear down the wall by force.
B. It asserted its right of access by using an authorized East German highway to move troops and military vehicles into West Berlin, for the purpose of attack.
C. It asserted its right of access by using an authorized East German highway to move troops and military vehicles into West Berlin, as a display of strength.
D. It brought troops and military vehicles into West Berlin in order to provoke an attack from the East.
E. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan both visited Berlin to announce U.S. solidarity with East Berlin and urge the GDR to tear down the wall.
F. Presidents and other political leaders met in private with the GDR to negotiate German reunification.

Answer 1

C and E.

- C: The U.S. asserted its right of access to West Berlin and used authorized routes (notably the Checkpoint Charlie incidents) to move troops/vehicles as a show of resolve.
- E: Both Kennedy (1963) and Reagan (1987) visited Berlin to express U.S. solidarity with Berliners; Reagan famously urged the Soviets (“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”). (Note: these visits were to West Berlin, not East Berlin.)