Chapter 4: Berlin Blockade Flashcards
When was the Berlin Blockade introduced?
June 1948. The day after the new Western-backed Deutsch Mark was introduced.
What was the Berlin Blockade?
The Soviet Union blocked all road and rail links to the Western zones and to West Berlin through the Soviet Zone.
Who was the prime mover in driving the allied response to the Soviet blockade?
Ernest Bevin. British Foreign Secretary.
What did Ernest Bevin (British Foreign Secretary) argue that the Soviet Union’s ultimate aim was?
To spread communism across the whole of Germany, and their pressure to oust the Western powers from West Berlin was the first step in this process.
What was Bevin adamant regarding the allies response to the blockade?
That the allies must not use military force to access West Berlin but must keep it supplied with ssentials. US General Clay supported Bevin’s view. = Berlin Airlift.
What did the US General Clay believe? Supporting Bevin’s view that the allies must not use military force to access West Berlin but keep it supplied with essentials.
Believed that any withdrawl from Berlin would threaten the future of democracy in Germany. A Western non-communist presence was crucial. = Berlin Airlift.
What was the point of the Berlin Airlift?
Clay (US General) said that the abandonment of Berlin would have a disastrous effect upon plans for West Germany e.g slow down European recovery, and threaten future of democracy in Germany.
When did Stalin end the Berlin Blockade?
May 1949. He failed in his aim to prevent the creation of a separate West German state. Containment had proved to be a success and by 1949 Europe was divided into two blocs.
