Paper 2: Superpower Relations

Question 1

Impacts of the Berlin Airlift

Answer 1

• 2,000 tonnes of resources supplied daily
• Thousands of Berliners received jobs
• Propaganda for the West to make them look good and the USSR evil.
• Stalin opens up Berlin Blockade after 11 months
• No casualties; it was a humanitarian effort, not an attack.

Question 2

Consequences of the Berlin Blockade

Answer 2

• Division of Germany permanent
• NATO formed April 1949, Warsaw Pact formed 1954.
• Berlin Airlift
• In effect two separate Europes; that being USSR & Eastern Bloc against the West.

Question 3

Key event in May 1949

Answer 3

Federal Republic of Germany formed by the West

Question 4

Key event in October 1949

Answer 4

German Democratic Republic (East Germany) formed.

Question 5

When East Germany was recognised (German Democratic Republic)

Answer 5

East Germany was not fully recognised by the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)

until 1970s.

Question 6

Key event in April 1949

Answer 6

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was formed by the West.

Question 7

Key event in 1954

Answer 7

Warsaw Pact was formed by the USSR and Eastern Bloc one week after West Germany joined NATO in 1954

Question 8

Purpose of NATO

Answer 8

• Protect Western powers from the Soviet Union
- If one member was attacked, the rest would come to aid.
• Members included major, North-Atlantic countries like Canada, USA, UK etc.

Question 9

Purpose of Warsaw Pact

Answer 9

• Set up by communist countries of Europe and the USSR to extend communist control.
• Form equivalent, communist, defensive, military alliance to NATO.
- Due to West Germany joining NATO in 1954
• Germany twice-attacked USSR in 20th century, and USSR suffered 30x more men than UK, USA combined.

Question 10

USSR’s attempt to join NATO

Answer 10

USSR tried to join NATO, but was denied.

- members of NATO feared that Stalin was threatening peace in Europe and mounting for another war.

Question 11

Stalin’s Fears

Answer 11

• Stalin thought that the split of Berlin was temporary, but remained.
- Stalin feared that because the West had holding in the middle of his communist-controlled zone, the West could entice East Germany with propaganda and mount for another assault.
• Fears became apparent when new currency and joint-zoned Trizonia appeared, meaning the split was permanent.

Question 12

Reason for Berlin Blockade

Answer 12

• Stalin thought the west would give up Berlin, since it was technically in his zone.
- Stalin took a gamble.