Berlin Blockade

Question 1

Causes on the USA’s front

Answer 1

West Germany and Berlin were benefiting from Marshall Aid in ways COMECON couldn’t match
GB and USA combined zones to form BIZONIA
Introduced new currency: Deutschmark into new zone

Question 2

Stalin’s reaction

Answer 2

Saw it as Germany becoming powerful and great again

Fearful of another German invasion of USSR

Question 3

Reasons for imposing of blockade

Answer 3

Stalin hoped to force test the USA and force them into giving up West Berlin, and its 2 million residence, to USSR

Question 4

How did the USA respond and react

Answer 4

They could not break the blockade and enter via the road or train lines as this was an act of war
Instead flew non stop flights in and out dropping off supplies to their West Berlin population
(275,000 flights) (5000 tons of supplies each day)

Question 5

Why could Stalin not retaliate

Answer 5

Ball now in his court, he would decide if a war was to break out as shooting down the planes was an act of war
The USA also were in position to drop atom bombs on the Soviet Union did they choose to start the war.

Question 6

Consequences of the Blockade

Answer 6

Joining of all zones but Soviet to form West Germany
NATO, military alliance of Western Countries, was set up
Ensured any attack from Stalin would be met w/force
Warsaw pact formed to oppose NATO
By 1949 Soviet scientist also developed the atom bomb