Flashpoints In Europe And The Impact On International Relations Flashcards
What did the western allies do in January 1947/48? What was the Soviet reaction to this?
Bizonia (47) and Trizonia (48)
A merging of the British and American (47) and French (48) economic zones in Germany and Berlin
This was perceived as the west grouping together against the USSR
What was the name of the West German currency introduced by the Allies
When was it introduced?
The Deutschmark
(Announced June 20th)
Introduced on 23rd June 1948
What was the name of the East German currency introduced by the USSR
When was it introduced?
The Ostmark
June 24th 1948
When did the Berlin Blockade start?
24th of June 1948
What did the USSR claim the Berlin Blockade was caused by?
Technical difficulties and essential repairs for the
- canal
- road
- rail
Links between East Berlin-West Berlin and West Germany-East Germany
Why did the USSR enforce the Berlin blockade in actuality? (3)
- To prevent devaluing of the Ostmark, which was only recently introduced
- to attempt to remove the Allies from Berlin and possibly Germany
- most importantly, to regain control
When was the FRG (Federal German Republic or West Germany) given a constitution?
(7th) June 1948
How was the Berlin Blockade enforced? (3)
- canal, rail and road links shut
- soviet troops surrounded West Berlin
- Gas, coal and electricity supplies were cut from the east
How many people lived in West Berlin in 1948?
2 million
What was the USSR’s stance on Germany, compare this with US.
USSR:
- wanted Germany weak
- also wanted to spread communism
US:
- felt rebuilding Germany would benefit US economy
- wanted to spread liberal democracy and capitalism
How long did the West Berliners have before they ran out of supplies?
6 weeks
How much money did the US invest in West Germany through Marshall Aid?
$1300 million
why was Berlin so important to the allies? (2)
- symbol for freedom - microcosm
- potential domino effect in Europe if Berlin became communist
What was the code name for the Berlin Airlift?
‘Operation Plainfare’
When did the Berlin Airlift formally start?
When did the first supplies arrive in Berlin however and where?
July 2nd 1948
June 26th, Templehof airfield.
By the end of the Berlin airlift, how much supplies were being delivered per day?
13000 tonnes
How long did the Berlin Airlift last?
324 days
Ended on 12th May 1949
What were the results of the Berlin Airlift? (7)
- propaganda defeat for the USSR
- 101 died
- Cost $224m
- led to NATO - April 4th 1949
- FRG (May 1949) and GDR (October 1949)
- arms race intensified
- containment appeared to be working
What is NATO and what is their key principal?
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
- Founded on the principal of defence of all attacked members
When did the FRG join NATO?
(May) 1955
At what stage did the USSR view NATO expansion as a threat?
When Italy, Turkey and Greece joined
When was the Warsaw Pact established?
What was its core principal and why was it established?
- May 1955
- Founded on the principal of defending all member states upon attack
- established in retaliation to NATO expansion