Interview with Martin J. Hillenbrand, March 18, 2004

Dr. Martin Hillenbrand interviewed by John Stark. Hillenbrand discusses the rebuilding of Germany, post-WWII, and the move towards German unification, including the differences between West German Chancellors Willy Brandt and Konrad Adenauer, the Berlin Crisis of 1962, and John Foster Dulles. He described the nuclears standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union and the role of NATO. Hillenbrand talks about the history of the foreign service in the U.S., including the Rogers Act and the career paths available to employees. Hillenbrand speaks extensively of the Berlin Wall, including its construction, the possibility that the Kennedy administration privately approved of the Berlin Wall, reasons why Americans might have a positive view of the Berlin Wall. He also talks about President Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis and the justification that would be required to go to war. Hillenbrand talks about defectors and refugees from East Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie, and methods of escaping from East Germany. He talks about the effects of Stalin's death and Lavrentiy Beria.

2004-03-18

RBRL154MJHOH-02