Chapter 4: Conflict over Germany Flashcards
German zones, bizonia, currency, Berlin Blockade
USSR zone
- What was the political system like?
- How was the zone viewed from the outside?
- What new policies did they bring in?
- 4 parties –> communists, social democrats, liberals, Christian democrats –> intention communists would win and trigger a movement across Germany –> socialists and communists forced to merge and aim for communist Germany failed
- Zone seen as tyrannical and repressed
- New policies = land reform, nationalised industry, Russian taught in schools
USA zone
- What did they want in their zone?
- How did they feel about joint occupation?
- What did Clay say no to and when?
- Wanted independence and economic security against east
- Wanted joint occupation to work
- 1947 - say no to Soviet demand for occupation of Ruhr, no to depriving the German population and no to the USSR’s want for a centralised Germany
British zone
- How many people were in their zone and why was that a problem?
- What did their zone have that others wanted?
- What did they fear - how did they deal with this (with US)?
- 22.5 million people (had Hamburg - port) –> lots of people = costly to feed - rely on US aid
- Had Ruhr zone (industry) –> others want the resources for economic recovery
- Feared a revived Germany that could cooperate with east –> US + GB zones merge
French zone
- What did they want for Germany?
- Why were they scared about Germany?
- Wanted complete dismemberment of Germany (up to 1947) + the Ruhr under French influence
- Wanted Germany to become a series of independent states
- Supported the creation of 2 German states
- Scared of a resurgence
What was put in place to help govern Germany?
Allied Control Council (ACC) –> ineffective
What events led to Bizonia?
(dates)
- 1946 - US + Gb need economic recovery –> Britain absorbing German refugees from Poland + Czechoslovakia
- USSR demanding more reparations than could be given –> May 1946 Clay denies reparations to USSR until a plan for German economic recovery is set up
When did the zones merge?
- January 1947
What was the Soviet response to Bizonia?
- Moscow Conference (Mar-Apr 1947) USSR wants new central administration - denied
- London Conference (Nov-Dec 1947) - also fails
- USSR accuse west of unfairly denying reparations –> west feared a central administration would = Soviet control
- Now saw 4 power control wouldn’t work
Why did the currency reform?
- Current currency = worthless
- Germans relied on black market
How was the new currency implemented?
- Feb-Jun 1948 –> GB, US, France, Benelux meet in London –> decide on new currency for economic stability
- Wiped out old currency - new one had a proper value
- Deutschemark introduced
What did the new currency cause for West Germany?
- Tied to the west now
- 7 June 1948 –> decided west Germany should have a formal constitution –> May 1949 head of state = Konrad Adenauer
Why did the Berlin blockade begin?
- Response to new currency in West Germany
- Wanted to force out the West from Berlin
When and how did the Berlin Blockade begin?
- June 1948
- Closed all links between West Germany and West Berlin –> road, rail, canal
What was the US response to the blockade?
- Needed to stop Stalin but avoid war
- Berlin airlift –> to drop supplied from planes
- Sent B-29 bombers to GB to station over channel as a power play
How and when did the blockade end?
- Easter Sunday 1949 - 13,000 tonnes dropped showing Stalin he had lost
- Calls it off 12 May 1949
