2.3 The 1948 Berlin Crisis Flashcards
How did the USA run their zone (West Germany)?
Took majority of refugees after WW2 (fleeing from the Red Army).
Occupation and aid for Germany posed a serious strain on the US economy.
Wanted to lift Germany so they could trade and lift the whole of Europe.
Ran as Capitalist country.
Introduced policies to help German economy grow.
How did the USSR run their zone (East Germany)?
Wanted to keep Germany weak and divided to prevent future invasions.
Wanted Germany to pay the cost of all the damages (27 million Soviet casualties).
Used their zone to their own benefits (factories and goods were taken to USSR).
Ran as Communist country.
Why was Berlin so significant?
West could see behind ‘Iron Curtain’.
Contrast between Western and Eastern side was visible to all.
“An island of prosperous capitalism in a sea of communism”.
When did the blockade occur?
24th June 1948.
What was the Berlin blockade?
Stalin cut all road, rail and canal links between West Berlin and West Germany, thinking that US would give up West Germany.
How did the US Government respond to the Berlin Blockade?
Created an airlift to send supplies to West Berlin.
What was the name of the airlift?
Operation Vittles.
How many tonnes of supplies were flown in to West Berlin every day?
Started with 1,000 tonnes and ended with 6,000 tonnes.
When did Stalin lift the blockade?
May 1949
What did Stalin say he created the blockade for?
US refused to pay reparations until economy had recovered.
Stalin didn’t like what the West was doing in Germany (USSR wanted Germany to stay weak)
Creation of Bizonia (1947) and Trizonia (1948). Stalin saw this as breaking Yalta - Potsdam agreement (4 power control).
Development of Deutschmark.
Stalin thought they were building Germany to attack USSR.
Why did the West think that Stalin created the blockade?
They thought they were trying to steal West Berlin.
Blockade was seen as evidence that Stalin was a cruel dictator.
Consequences of the blockade
Airlift was successful and GB and USA was seen as heroes and USSR as evil.
Tensions increased and possibilities of a War were incremented.
Creation of NATO and West German State.
Germany united against the USSR
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
When was NATO formed?
June 1949
What was NATO for?
To protect member countries if they were attacked.
