Comflict Over Germany, 1947-49

Question 1

In October 1947, a survey in Germany asked people who they trusted them to treat Germany fairly, what were the results of this?

Answer 1

USA- 63% of people
UK- 45% of people
France- 4% of people
USSR- 0% of people

Question 2

What organisation did the powers coordinate their actions in Germany through?

Answer 2

Allied Control Council (ACC)

Question 3

What did the ACC enable?

Answer 3

Maintenance of political and economic unity in Germany

Question 4

What four political parties did Stalin establish in the Soviet Zone?

Answer 4

• Communists (KPD)
• German Social Democrats (SPD)
• Liberals (LDPD)
• Christian Democrats (CDU)

Question 5

What did the USSR intend for their zone politically?

Answer 5

The communist group would emerge as the dominant group and this would for the nucleus of communist movement in Germany.

Question 6

What actually happened in the USSR’s zone politically?

Answer 6

The communist group wasn’t the most popular so the communists and Social Democrats were forcibly merged by the Soviet Military Administration of Germany (SMAD) to form one party.

Question 7

What was the party where the KDP and SPD merged called and when did it form?

Answer 7

German Socialist Party (SED)
Feb 1946

Question 8

True or False: There was no opposition to the formation of the SED by the SPD.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

How was the Soviet zone perceived?

Answer 9

A place of tyranny and repression

Question 10

What did the ACC say about the USSR unification of parties?

Answer 10

It wasn’t allowed

Question 11

What other unilateral policies did the USSR breach?

Answer 11

• Land reform
• Nationalisation of large industrial production
• compulsory tuition of Russian to German school pupils

Question 12

What was the population of the British zone?

Answer 12

22.5 million

Question 13

What industrial features did the British zone include?

Answer 13

Major port of Hamburg and Ruhr industrial area

Question 14

Why was the British zone dependent on the USA?

Answer 14

Had a large population to feed which was costly

Question 15

Why was the Ruhr a concern for the British?

Answer 15

The USSR and France tried to influence the control as it was at the heart of German industry and therefore the centre of economic recovery.

Question 16

Why did the USSR want to control the Ruhr?

Answer 16

Provide access to further reparations from Germany which may weaken Germany economy and make communism more appealing.

Question 17

What did the British do to prevent USSR controlling the Ruhr?

Answer 17

Created the North Rhine-Westphalia in Aug 1946

Question 18

in 1945, what did Kennan say must ensure in the USA’s zone?

Answer 18

Independence and economic security that secured safety from any threat from the Eastern Bloc.

Question 19

What was Eisenhower’s position as this point?

Answer 19

The First Commander of the Office of Military Government, United States (OMGUS)

Question 20

What were Eisenhower’s intentions of the occupied zones?

Answer 20

Committed to making joint occupation work

Question 21

Who was Eisenhower’s deputy?

Answer 21

Clay

Question 22

What was Clay’s view on the occupied zones in 1945?

Answer 22

Same as Eisenhower

Question 23

By 1947 Clay disagreed with Eisenhower, what 3 things did he say no to?

Answer 23

• Soviet demand that the Ruhr should be placed under joint allied control
• continued social and economic deprivation of German populations in USA and British zones
• Soviet desire to create a centralised Germany

Question 24

What did the USA allow in their zone?

Answer 24

Free elections

Question 25

What were the French's intentions for Germany?

Answer 25

Ensure it remained divided to ensure security against a resurgent German state.

Question 26

In 1946, what were the USA and Britain's economic aims in Germany?

Answer 26

Recovery in their zones

Question 27

What did Clay announce in May 1946?

Answer 27

No further reparations would be made to the USSR until there was an overall plan agreed for Germany's economic recovery.

Question 28

How did the USSR react to Clay's announcement?

Answer 28

Saw it as an American strategy to create a capitalist Germany

Question 29

When was Bizonia formed?

Answer 29

January 1947

Question 30

When was the Moscow Conference and who attended?

Answer 30

March and April 1947 Britain, France, China, USSR and USA

Question 31

What did the USSR demand at the Moscow conference? Was it a success?

Answer 31

A new central administration should be created Failed

Question 32

Where was a second conference held in Nov and Dec? Was it successful?

Answer 32

London Failed

Question 33

What did the USSR accuse the West of at the London Conference?

Answer 33

Unjustly denying it the reparations it was due and that the West feared a centralised administration would lead to a Soviet-controlled Germany.

Question 34

What was outcome of the London conference?

Answer 34

Realised a four country control of Germany would not work.

Question 35

Between France and June which countries meet in London?

Answer 35

Britain, France, USA and the Benelux states (Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands)

Question 36

What decision was made between Britain, France, USA and the Benelux states?

Answer 36

A new currency would be created in the Western zones

Question 37

What was agreed on the 7th June 1948 at the London conference?

Answer 37

West Germany should have a formal constitution

Question 38

When did the Berlin Blockade begin?

Answer 38

24 June 1948

Question 39

Why did the Blockade begin?

Answer 39

Stalin blocked all road and rail links to the Western zones and West Berlin due to the creation of the Deutschmark the day prior.

Question 40

What did Ernst Bevin say about the USSR regarding the Blockade?

Answer 40

Their ultimate aim was to spread communism across Germany and this was their attempt to remove western powers

Question 41

What did Bevin advise the west not to do?

Answer 41

Use military force but instead keep it supplied with essentials

Question 42

What did clay think about Bevin's advice?

Answer 42

Agreed - believed any withdrawal from Berlin would threaten democracy in Germany.

Question 43

How was the Blockade overcome?

Answer 43

By the Berlin Airlifts where supplies were delivered by the guaranteed air corridors.

Question 44

What was the British airlift called?

Answer 44

Operation Plainfare

Question 45

What was the American airlift called?

Answer 45

Operation Vittles