lesson 8 - flash cards
Q: What were the official names of East and West Germany after May 1949?
A: West Germany became the Federal Republic of Germany (FDR), and East Germany became the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
Q: How was Berlin divided after World War II?
A: Berlin was divided into four sections, each controlled by one of the Allies: the USA, the UK, France, and the Soviet Union.
Q: Who controlled East Germany, and what was the political stance?
A: East Germany was firmly controlled by Stalin and remained fully communist, with no opportunities for non-communists to succeed or influence governance.
Q: What happened to the Allied Control Council over time?
A: It faded as tensions grew between the Soviets, who wanted to keep Germany weak, and the West, which aimed for Germany’s recovery.
Q: What was Trizonia, and why did it upset Stalin?
A: Trizonia was the merged zone of the Western Allies, and the introduction of a common currency angered Stalin, who then planned a separate currency for East Germany.
Q: What was the initial Soviet response to the Western currency introduction in April 1948?
A: The Soviets began a mini blockade by restricting military supplies and causing inconvenience for West Berliners to force the West out.
Q: When did the full Berlin Blockade begin, and what were its effects?
A: The full blockade began in June 1948, blocking all roads, railways, and canals, affecting 2.5 million people in West Berlin and cutting off all supply lines, including electricity.
Q: What was Stalin’s main aim with the Berlin Blockade?
A: To force the Allies out of Berlin and make the city entirely dependent on the USSR.
Q: How did Truman respond to the Berlin Blockade?
A: Truman was determined to stay in Berlin, initiating a counter-blockade and later the Berlin Airlift to supply West Berlin.
Q: What were Operation Vittles and Operation Plainfare?
A: They were the American and British efforts, respectively, to airlift supplies into Berlin, with planes arriving every 3 minutes and delivering 4,000 tonnes daily.
Q: What was the “Easter Parade” during the Berlin Airlift?
A: On April 15, 1949, 12,000 tonnes of coal were flown into West Berlin in 1,383 flights.
Q: When did Stalin lift the Berlin Blockade, and why?
A: Stalin lifted the blockade on May 12, 1949, realizing the situation would continue indefinitely if the blockade persisted.
Q: What was the consequence of the Berlin Blockade regarding German territories in 1949?
A: The Western Allies’ zones merged to form the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in May 1949, and the Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in October 1949.
Q: What led to the formation of NATO in April 1949?
A: Stalin’s attempt to expand into West Berlin prompted the Allies to form NATO to protect themselves from Soviet aggression.
Q: How did the USSR respond to the formation of NATO?
A: The USSR formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955 as a military alliance in response to NATO.
