German History Quiz #4

What was the Berlin Airlift of 1948/1949?

• The workers of East Germany revolted; was crushed by Soviet tanks.

• Billions of U.S. Dollars were pumped into the West German economy.

• Soviets blockaded West Berlin; Western allies flew in supplies for 11 months.

• A famous WWII fight between the Royal Air Force of England and the German Luftwaffe.

In what year were both East and West German officially created?

• 1933

• 1949

• 1961

• 1989

Why did the banana come to symbolize the terrible East German economy?

• Basic consumer goods were difficult to come by, including food not native to East Germany.

• Helmut Kohl did not allow bananas in East Germany as retaliation for the Berlin Blockade

• It took several years on a waiting list to buy a car in East Germany.

• Russians are allergic to bananas and did not permit them in East Germany.

Why did West Germany experience an economic boom in the 1950's?

• Billions of U.S. Dollars were pumped into West Germany thanks to the Marshall Plan.

• The Berlin Wall prevented East Germans from escaping into West Germany.

• Erich Honecker wanted the wall to last for 100 years.

• East Germany did not compete in the Olympics until 1968.

Why did West Germany bring in "Gastarbeiter" (immigrant workers) starting in 1955?

• They were recruited by West Germany's communist party to rig the elections.

• They needed to help build the Berlin Wall.

• West Germany was experiencing an economic boom and needed workers since most young men died in the war.

• They came to West Germany illegally to help the Soviets put down the workers' revolt of 1953.

Why was the Berlin Wall erected in 1961?

• To keep West Germans from escaping to the East.

• To keep East Germans from escaping to the West.

• To keep the Soviets from invading Berlin.

• To keep the Western allies (France, England , USA) from invading Berlin.

What was the Stasi?

• An organization that produced propaganda films for East Germany.

• An organization that solicited aid from western nations to bolster the East German economy.

• An organization that spied on East German citizens and employed "unofficial informants."

• An organization that helped East Germans escape to West Germany.

What was Checkpoint Charlie?

• Military checkpoint between Soviet and American sectors in Berlin; site of tank standoff with Soviet and American tanks.

• A villa in a Berlin suburb where the Nazis discussed the Final Solution.

• The German parliament building where it was decided to tear down the Berlin Wall.

• The name of the top secret military operation to help East Germans escape to the west.

Who was Erich Honecker?

• He designed the very first Trabant.

• He led an organization to help East Germans escape to West Germany.

• He worked closely with Americans to help bring socialism to West Germany.

• He was chancellor of East Germany; said the wall would last another 100 years.

When did the Berlin Wall fall?

• November 9, 1989

• September 9, 1981

• October 3, 1990

• October 7, 1949