1.7 Post War Germany

Question 1

How was Germany divided post Potsdam?

Answer 1

• 4 power control of Germany
• Berlin divided into 4 sectors
• Controlled under ACC to enable economic and political unity

Question 2

What was the Soviet’s intention with their zone?

Answer 2

To emerge the dominant group and from Germany as a communist movement

Question 3

How was the Soviet zone perceived by Germans?

Answer 3

• Place of repression and cruel leading

Question 4

What did the British Zone include?

Answer 4

The major port of Hamburg and the Ruhr bringing significant problems

Question 5

What was Britain’s fears?

Answer 5

• Merging of French and USSR zones and their efforts to control the Ruhr

Question 6

What is OMGUS?

Answer 6

Administrative organisation set up by the USA to manage its zones in Germany and Berlin

Question 7

What did the USA allow in their zones?

Answer 7

• Free elections and based their structure on federalism

Question 8

What did GB and USA do in January 1947?

Answer 8

Merge their zones into one called Bizonia

Question 9

What did this merge indicate?

Answer 9

Reinforced that USA wanted a West German state and become a leading force

Question 10

What did GB and USA do in Feb 1948 and what was the Soviets reaction?

Answer 10

• Introduce new currency in West Germany
• Formally activated in June
• Placed a blockade on Berlin

Question 11

What does the fact the blockade was placed the day after the new currency suggest about Soviet intentions?

Answer 11

• No communication had been attempted between the two powers
• Soviets had been planning the blockade since the announcement of the currency

Question 12

Why was Germany a dominant setting for tensions?

Answer 12

• Wealth, military and economic strength with neither wanted the other to dominate

Question 13

What was Germany’s increased responsibility from March 1947?

Answer 13

• Moscow Council of Foreign Ministers broke up as failed to reach aggrement with Germany
• May 1947 - USA increased responsibility of Germans in Bizonia for their own economic development

Question 14

How many lived in the British zone of Germany?

Answer 14

22.5 million

Question 15

What were US attitudes towards Germany/Berlin?

Answer 15

• Not all US policy makers were supportive of direct involvement
• Kennan did not believe the Marshall Plan would free the USA from a long-term dependency on them by the Western zones
• Kennan was wary of the USA assuming a heavy burden of responsibility on the development and success of Western economies
• As a divided Germany would create a damaging and large responsibility for the USA

Question 16

What happened in June 1948?

Answer 16

• The London Conference reached the conclusion that Germany should have its own Constituent Assembly (popularly elected representatives to draft a constitution)
• US state department noted ‘the London agreements mark the first step towards the resolution of German problem since Potsdam’