Conflict over Germany 1947-49

Question 1

Four Zones

Answer 1

• Each zone had its own military governor but were to coordinate actions through the ACC (Allied Control Council)

Question 2

Soviet Zone

Answer 2

• Four founding political parties
  
  • Communists (KPD)
  • German Social Democrats (SPD)
  • Liberals (LDPD)
  • Christians Democrats (CDU)
• Soviet intention that Communists win but didn’t happen so the SPD and KPD forcibly merged by Soviet Military Administration of Germany and created in February 1946
• Newly formed party was the German Socialist Party (SED) significant opposition in SPD party
• Unilateral Policies were introduced
  
  • Land reform
  • Nationalism of large industrial production
  • Russian to be taught in schools

Question 3

British Zone

Answer 3

• Contained 22.5 million people and major port of Hamburg and the Ruhr industrial area
• Large population meant costly to feed so more reliant on US
• Concern over French and Soviet influence over the Ruhr
• Primary British fear by Spring of 1946 was Germany cooperation with USSR or be dominated by it

Question 4

American Zone

Answer 4

• Summer of 1945 George Kennan clear USA must develop its zone into a kind of independence and economic security
• That was intent of first Office of Military Government, United States (OMGUS) General Dwight Eisenhower and deputy General Lucius Clay
• By Spring of 1947 Clay less compliant his position was ‘no’ to
  
  • Soviet demand of Ruhr under joint control
  • Continued social and economic deprivations
  • Soviet desire to create centralised Germany
• Allowed free elections and had structure based on federalism

Question 5

French Zone

Answer 5

• Up to 1947 called for complete dismemberment of Germany and internationalisation of the Ruhr
• France major in why the ACC couldn’t work properly
• French wanted a position was to support the creation of two German states

Question 6

Bizonia

Answer 6

• 1946 US and Britain wanted economic recovery in their zones
• British absorbing large numbers of German expelled refugees from Poland and Czechoslovakia
• May 1946 General Clay announced no more reparations to USSR until full plan
• January 1947 British and American zones merged this was consistent with Potsdam

Question 7

Soviet Response to Bizonia

Answer 7

• It was to oppose Bizonia
• Council of Ministers met at Moscow conference March to April 1947
• USSR demanded that new central administration should be created but it failed
• Another conference held in London November and December 1947 also a failure

Question 8

New Currency Deutsche Mark

Answer 8

• Between February and June 1948 Britain, France, USA and the Benelux states met in London to discuss new currency
• Lead to beginning of separation and distinction between east and west
• June 7th 1948 at London conference agreed that West Germany should have a Formal Constitution

Question 9

Berlin Blockade

Answer 9

• June 1948 to May 1949
• 24th June day after Deutsche Mark was introduced Soviets blocked all roads and rail into West Berlin
• Ernest Bevin Britain’s foreign secretary argued Soviet aim was to spread communism worldwide
• Bevin was adamant that the allies must not use military force but keep it supplied with the essentials
• A withdraw from Berlin would threaten the future of a democracy in Germany

Question 10

Berlin Blockade Flights per Month

Answer 10

July - 13,000
August - 18,000
September - 20,000
October - 18,000
November - 14,000
December - 16,000
January - 20,000
February - 16,000
March - 22,000
April - 26,000

Question 11

Berlin Blockade Tonnage of Supplies Delivered each Month

Answer 11

July - 70,000
August - 120,000
September - 130,000
October - 150,000
November - 110,000
December - 140,000
January - 175,000
February - 150,000
March - 190,000
April - 230,000

Question 12

Creation of East and West Germany

Answer 12

• Decision to be West in June 1948 but constitution finally approved in early 1949
• First elected leader of the West was Konrad Adenauer
• USSR reluctant to accept because of aim to create pro-soviet united Germany
• The SED came into control

Question 13

Formation of NATO

Answer 13

• Strong perception that Europe should contribute to its own defence this had already begun with the Western European Union (WEU) members Britain, France and Benelux states
  
  • Aim was to prevent any German resurgence
• NATO for the US was a primarily a political defence system rather than military organisation that could be long term for Europe
• 4th April 1949 NATO came into being

Question 14

Soviet Response to NATO

Answer 14

• Soviet objections to NATO were summed up by Alexander Panyushkin, Soviet Ambassador in the US
• Argued that NATO was an aggressive organisation designed to pressurise states into complying with the interests of the West