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 were the 4 political parties in the Soviet zone?

Answer 2

• KPD (Communists)
• SPD (German Social Democrats)
• LDPD (Liberals)
• CDU (Christians Democrats)

Question 3

What was the Soviet’s intention with their zone?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What political parties were merged in the Soviet zone and what did this become?

Answer 4

SPD and KPD merged by the SMAD to become the new German Socialist Party (SED)

Question 5

How was the Soviet zone perceived by Germans?

Answer 5

• Place of repression and cruel leading

Question 6

What did the British Zone include?

Answer 6

The major port of Hamburg and the Ruhr bringing significant problems

Question 7

What was Britain’s fears?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is OMGUS?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What did the USA allow in their zones?

Answer 9

• Free elections and based their structure on federalism

Question 10

What did GB and USA do in January 1947?

Answer 10

Merge their zones into one called Bizonia

Question 11

What did this merge indicate?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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