Berlin in the Cold War, 1948-1990

This volume consists of a book and fully searchable DVD containing a facsimile collection of diplomatic documents covering British reactions to critical developments regarding Berlin, its quadripartite administration, and role in the Cold War during the crises of 1948-49, 1959-61 and 1988-90.

These events were each set within very different international contexts, but four interrelated themes are nevertheless common to each of the three chapters of the volume: the British Government’s insistence, in conjunction with the Americans and the French, on upholding and safeguarding the rights of the four occupying powers in Berlin, British concerns with broader matters of military security in Western Europe as a whole and Germany in particular, the interaction of the four occupying powers with one another and the questions raised by demographic change, especially population movements from east to west. All of the documents dealing with the events of 1989-90 fall within the UK’s 30-year rule and are therefore not yet in the public domain.

Contents

Chapter I, Berlin Isolated 1948-9

• British reactions to Soviet withdrawal from the Allied Control Commission for Germany, and Soviet coup in Czechoslovakia.
• British reactions to Soviet travel restrictions from east to west. 
• Foreign Secretary Bevin’s plans for Allied military co-ordination to resist Soviet 'war of nerves' over the future of Berlin. 
• Chiefs of Staff review of British military measures to secure Berlin. 
• Political relationship between British Labour and German Social Democrat parties.
• Negotiations with the United Nations.
• Examination of politics behind the Berlin Airlift.
• Review of success of Airlift after nine months.
  

Chapter II, Berlin Divided, 1959-61

• Examination of relationship between Macmillan, de Gaulle, Adenauer, Khrushchev and Eisenhower over future of Berlin.
• Paper produced by Sir Evelyn Shuckburgh, Deputy Under-Secretary of State at the FO, on options for a settlement of the German Question following arrival of a new US administration.  
• Analysis of East German refugee flow, and British relationship with new Government of GDR (German Democratic Republic).  
• Debate over reinforcement of Berlin by a US battle-group.  
• Debate following erection of the Berlin Wall. 
  

Chapter III, Berlin Reunited, 1988-90

• Review of British policy towards Germany in light of the beginnings of Glasnost & Perestroika and new US administration.
• UK / US differences over Berlin air services.
• Examination of growing refugee crisis. 
• Immediate British embassy response to the opening of the Wall over a 'historic weekend'.  
• British tactics for the Two plus Four negotiations, with specific reference to air services.
• Review of the future of the British garrison.
• Discussion of future political representation of Berliners in Bonn.
• Termination of Four Power rights.
• Reports on unification ceremonies and tributes
• Douglas Hurd’s tribute to British officials during 'a unique period of diplomacy'.