3. Berlin Blockade and Airlift Flashcards
In the years following the American decision to ‘contain’ communism, what significant confrontations occurred between the superpowers in Europe ? (4)
- Berlin Blockade and Airlift
- Hungarian Uprisings 1956
- Building of the Berlin Wall
- Prague Spring
How did the west and USSR differ over Germany’s future? (Causes of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift) (3)
- At Yalta it had been agreed that Germany would be divided into 4 zones, each controlled separately by each Ally. Berlin was also divided by it was located over 100 miles inside the Soviet zone through which the Allies had to travel to get to the city. That was all they agreed on
- The USSR wanted Germany to remain weak, since Germany had invaded them twice since 1914
- The western powers wanted Germany to recover so it could be both a barrier against the further spread of communism and an important part of European economic recovery. Significant resources were invested in Germany, including over $1,300 million of Marshall aid
How did USSR and USA differ over economies in Berlin? (Causes of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift) (2)
- By 1948 the Western zones of Germany were on the road to economic recovery mainly because of Marshall Aid
- This wasn’t the case for the Soviet zone. During the same period the USSR has removed a significant amount of resources from the eastern zones to compensate for war damage
What happened March 1948?
The USA, Britain and France united their zones in Germany into a single economic unit in the hopes of strengthening the economy of the Western zones of Berlin
What was the four zones controlled by the western powers united into single economic unit called?
Trizonia
What happened June 1948 that contributed to the Berlin Blockade and Airlift?
- The Allies decided to introduce a new currency, the Deutschmark, into the region
- They believed that this was essential for economic recovery
How did Stalin react to the actions of the Western powers in March and June 1948?
- He saw it as the first stage in the reconstruction of a Germany that would again threaten the USSR
- Additionally the recovery would be obvious to the poor people of East Berlin. This could cause problems as people may come to resent the lower living standards in the communist zone
On what date did the Blockade start?
24th June 1948. Stalin ignored that had been agreed at Potsdam
What did the Russians close once the Blockade began?
He ignored the Potsdam agreement and closed all road, rail and canal links with West Berlin
Why did Stalin close links to West Berlin?(2)
- The official reason was ‘technical difficulties.’ But in fact the Soviet’s believed that the whole affair was an attempt by the West to destroy the Eart German economy
- He hoped that he could force the west to abandon Berlin and thus leave it under soviet control
Why did the USA take action to help West Berlin?
- ## Berlin has become a powerful symbol of the struggle for power in Europe between capitalism and communism. Any sign of weakness might result in the collapse of American influence over the rest of Europe
The West’s response to the Berlin Blockade was called the Berlin Airlift (7)
- General Lucius Clay pushed for breaking the blockade by force but Truman rejected the idea
- Airlifting supplies to West Berlin would be the best way of breaking the Blockade.
- Stalin was unlikely to shoot planes down as that would be seen as an act of war.
- For almost a year up to 13,000 tonnes of supplies were flown in each day with planes landing on occasion at two minute intervals.
- The two million citizens of West Berlin had to endure severe rationing.
- By mid 1949 Stalin was forced to admit defeat
- 12th May the blockade was lifted
How many men died during the Berlin Airlift?
101
What was the total amount of supplies airlifted to Berlin?
Two million tonnes
On what date was the Berlin Blockade lifted?
12th May 1949
