Berlin Crisis / Berlin Blockade Flashcards
After the war Germany was split
Into 4 zones
In 1947 USA and Britain agreed to
Combine their zones to form “Bizonia”
The new western zone had a
New government and in June 1948 introduced a new currency to help economic recovery
This alarmed Stalin as he did not want a
Unified western zone on his doorstep
West Berlings strong capitalist economy embarrased the
USSR’S communist economy.
As a result of being threatened by the West Stalin decided to
Blockade West Berlin to force the West to withdraw from West Berlin
Stalin wanted the West to leave West Berlin.The western powers believed if this happened then
Soviet Union would be tempted to invade West Germany.
The Western powers wouldn’t give up on West Berlin so they
Decided to bypass the blockade and fly in supplies.Became known as the Berlin Airlift.
By 1949 8,000 tonnes of supplies were
Being flown to West Germany everyday.
Tegel airport ws built in West Berlin to
Accomodate the number of flights.Meant supplies could be delivered in even greater numbers
The airlift lasted
318 days.
When it became clear that the West weren’t going to leave West Berlin
Stalin called off the Blockade.
In 1949 two states were formed
West Germany( Federal republic of Germany)
East Germany ( German Democratic Republic
The Berlin Blockade increased tensions between the superpowers as
Stalin didn’t lift the blockade willingly.It made the allies look heroic and strong whilst Stalin was humilated and discredited.
The Berlin Blockade showed how unprepared the West would be
If there was conflict with USSR.
So as a consequence of the Berlin Blockade the Western Powers decided to
Form a military alliance.In 1949 NATO was created
All members of NATO agreed to
Respond together if any member was under attack.
To rival NATO the USSR established the
WARSAW PACT IN 1955
Why did Stalin block all supplies
Stalin blocked all supplies to West Berlin to show that a divided Berlin could not work and so tried to force the West out of Berlin
