Berlin Blockade 1948-49

Question 1

What happened at the November 1947 London Conference?

Answer 1

The US was pro Western integration - establishing connections between Germany and Western Europe. The USSR feared US control of the Ruhr.
Walter Ulbricht of the Socialist Unity Party, (SED), set up a German People’s Congress for Unity and a Just Peace,’ and Ernest Bevin refused their entrance to the conference, viewing them as a communist representation of Germany. On Dec 15, the talks stopped.

Question 2

What happened between February and June of 1948?

Answer 2

The talks continued from February to June. The French feared that if West Germany was allowed to grow, it could become a police state again, so the US ensured Germany would be controlled with troops in Western Europe, an Occupation Statute where the West controlled foreign policy, security etc, and an International Ruhr Authority for the Ruhr. On 20 June, the Deutschmark was established, resulting in the Ostmark being created in retaliation.
On 7 June, the Germans were given permission to establish a new constitution.

Question 3

Describe key features of the blockade…

(Include talks at the Moscow conference and New York)/

Answer 3

• 24 June, the blockade begins. Avi Schlaim saw the US as fearful and alarmed. General Clay suggested a forced convoy but Ernest Bevin insisted airlifts would prevent war. These would go to Tempelhof and Gaton.
• B-29 planes considered capable of carrying atom bombs were sent to East Anglia.
• On 2 Aug there were meetings in Moscow between ambassadors and Stalin. Stalin would consider an end to the blockade if the US accepted the Ostmark and uniting Germany, allowing the USSR gradual full control of Germany. Talks broke down as the US wanted division by 7 Sept.
• The winter was mild and by April 1949 8000 tons were sent a day. In Feb the Deutschmark was the only legal currency.
• In January Stalin said he would only cancel the blockade with more talks so the Council of Foreign Ministers met in New York and it was decided there would be more discussion on currency. On May 12th, the blockade ended.

Question 4

Describe the results…

Answer 4

• Spring 1949 - The Federal Republic of Germany was set up and a month later Konrad Adenauer was made the West German Chancellor. The High Commission would ensure control of Germany.
• In March 1948 the SED set the German People’s Council to draft constitution for a united German state or East Germany. By March 1949, the Constitution of East Germany was approved. Peter Merkyl, a historian, considered this a ‘make believe constitution,’ to establish a one-party state. On 12 Oct, the new government was established, all members voted for represented the SED and a Soviet Control Commission was set up to control the East.