3 - The Berlin Blockade: 1948 - 1949 Flashcards
Berlin Blockade Narrative Account
1 - Western Allies united zones: Trizonia
Potsdam Conference = Germany + Berlin split into 4 zones
March 1948 - USA, Britain, France united zones. Did not include USSR
STALIN SAW THIS AS A THREAT AND BECAME SUSPICIOUS WHEN
2 - Introduction of Deutschmark
Created single currency for Trizonia
Controlled by USA
STALIN BELIEVED THE WEST WERE TRYING TO MAKE THE USSR WEAK SO CONSEQUENTLY
3 - Berlin Blockade - June 1948
Cut off land-based routes to West Berlin
Hoped Western Allies would leave
TO CONTINUE TO SUPPLY WEST BERLIN, THE ALLIES LAUNCHED
4 - Berlin Airlift - June 1948 - May 1949
Operation Vittles = flew 1000 tonnes of supplies into Berlin every day
Planes landed every 90 seconds
Built new airport (Berlin Tegal)
REALISING THE BLOCKADE FAILED, STALIN LIFTED IT AND IN RESPONSE
5 - Division of Germany
West became Federal Republic of Germany (may 1949)
East became German Democratic Republic (October 1949)
Two separate governments
What is NATO and why was it introduced?
April 1949: USA, Britain, France, and nine other Western countries joined together in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The agreement was that if any member was attacked, all the other members would come to its assistance.
What was the Warsaw Pact and when/ why was it created?
1955: Stalin became increasingly concerned about the threat of armed and powerful Germany on the border of Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe after West Germany joined NATO in May 1955. He decided to form the Warsaw Pact.
The members included: the Soviet Union, Poland, Hungary, and Romania. The leadership was entirely Soviet, and the alliance was the command of the Soviet Union.
Four consequences of the Berlin Blockade
1 - Formation of East and West Germany
2 - Formation of NATO
3 - Formation of the Warsaw Pact
4 - Divided Europe
Consequences of the Berlin Blockade: Formation of East and West Germany
Evidence
- The Berlin Blockade revealed that the Western Allies could no longer trust or cooperate with the USSR. This led to the Formal division of Germany
- The Federal Republic of Germany was formed from the US, British and French zones and citizens were able to elect their own Parliament in May 1949. The German Democratic Republic was formed in October 1949. Only communist countries recognised it as a nation.
- Germany was now formally divided and would not be reunified until 1990.
Consequences of the Berlin Blockade: Formation of NATO
Evidence
Stalin’s actions led to heightened fears that the USSR might seek to use force against Western Europe (particularly West Germany). In April 1949, the USA, Britain, France, and nine other Western nations formed NATO (agreed to support each other if they were attacked). This increased Cold War tensions.
Consequences of the Berlin Blockade: Formation of the Warsaw Pact
Evidence
In response to NATO, a communist military alliance was established in May 1955. It was led by the USSR and included countries such as: Romania, Poland, and Hungary.
Consequences of the Berlin Blockade:
Divided Europe
Evidence
Following the Berlin Blockade, Europe became divided between two military alliances: NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
The importance of the Berlin Blockade for the Cold War (3 points)
1 - The Berlin Blockade led to a collapse in superpower relations
2 - The Blockade led to the formal division of Germany
3 - The Blockade led to the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact
The Berlin Blockade led to a collapse in superpower relations: analysis
It was now clear that the USA and USSR could not cooperate over Germany. Led not only to the division of Germany, but to a rapid deterioration in Cold War relations.
The Berlin Blockade led to the formal division of Germany: analysis
The Berlin Blockade revealed that the Western Allies could no longer trust or cooperate with the USSR. This led to the formal division of Germany into the FRG and GDR.
Germany was now formally divided and would not be reunified until 1990: Germany remained the focal point of the Cold War for many years to come.
The Berlin Blockade led to the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact: analysis
Following the Berlin Blockade, Europe became divided between military alliances: the West now part of NATO (dominated by the USA) and the East now part of Warsaw (dominated by USSR).
Consequences of the First Berlin Crisis (1947 - 49) (3 points)
1 - Berlin Airlift
Fly supplies to West Berlin = plane lands every 90 seconds
Approx. 1000 tonnes per day
UNABLE TO COOPERATE OVER GERMANY
2 - formation of military alliances
1949 - NATO is formed - USA + Western Allies
1955 - Warsaw Pact - USSR + Satellite states
EUROPE IS DIVIDED INTO MILITARY GROUPS
3 - divisions in Germany
West became Federal Republic of Germany
East became German Democratic Republic
Now two separate countries
THIS WENT AGAINST AGREEMENTS AT POTSDAM
