A.7 The Berlin Blockade

Question 1

Background to Berlin Blockade

Answer 1

• Germany divided into 4 zones (Britain, France, USA, Russia)
• Zones were where the the armies had reached in WW2
• Berlin was surrounded by the Russian zone but was divided into 4 as well
• January 1947, American and British zones join to form bizonia
• 1st June 1948, France joins the bizonia, making the trizonia
• 20th June 1948, without consulting soviet union, western powers introduce Deutschmark into western germany
• 24th June 1948, soviets introduce Ostmark into eastern germany.

Question 2

Berlin Blockade

Answer 2

• soviets believed by applying pressure to west berlin they could get the western powers to abandon their plans for a west german state
• 23rd June 1948, Berlin blockade begins
• Rail and road links and supply of electricity were cut off from west berlin
• a temporary airlift is proposed to maintain the 2 million people in the city
• 26th June 1948, the first planes start arriving
• the airlift lasted for 11 months
• Stalin called off the blockade when it became clear that it was not working
• the blockade was lifted in May 1949

Question 3

Consequences of Berlin Blockade

Answer 3

• Berliners were living in wartime conditions which they blamed the East for
• resulted in the majority of Berliners supporting the West and turning against communism
• blockade created a comradeship between the west and west berliners

Question 4

FRG

Answer 4

• Federal Republic of Germany, approved in Spring of 1949 by Western powers
• August 1949, elections for new parliament took place
• High Commission gave Britain, France and USA final say on foreign policy, security questions, exports and other matters