Pre GDR International Developments Flashcards
What was the Tehran conference?
Held in November 1943, the discussion of post war Germany began, but was not decided - however, the allies (Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin) agreed on opening a second front, as well as Stalin joining the fight against Japan after the defeat of Germany.
What was the Yalta conference?
It took place in February 1945, and key decisions were made to the future of Germany - with it being split into four zones, with this also happening to the capital (Berlin). There was also agreement on free elections in Eastern Europe, as well as the planning for the set up of the UN.
What was the Potsdam conference?
This took place in July/August 1945 and formalised plans for Germany, the allies were committed to treating Germany as a single economic unit, with intent to disarm, demilitarise and denazify the country. The topic of reparations was also discussed, with the USSR taking 10% of industrial goods. There was also agreement leadership changes between the last conference, with Truman and Attlee.
What were the 4 d’s?
Democratisation, Denazify, Demilitarise and Decentralisation.
Why did the allies break up?
The alliance between the western power and the Soviet Union quickly frayed. There were disagreements over reparations, economic policies, political systems created deep divisions. Germany became a focal point of east west relations.
What was Bizonia/Trizonia?
This was a major point of contention between the allies. In January 1947, Britain and the US merged their zones to create ‘Bizonia’, which sough to rationalise the management of resources and finances in their areas.
In April 1947, France joined this arrangement, forming ‘Trizonia’.
When was the Deutsche Mark introduced?
In June 1948, the western allies introduced the Deutsche Mark into their zones to stabilise the economy and curb inflation. This reform was introduced without consultation from the Soviet Union - and thus, the Soviet introduced their own currency (Ostmark), and tightened their hold over the eastern economy.
What was the Berlin Blockade?
In June 1948, in retaliation for introducing their own currency, as well as plans to take over West Berlin, the Soviets conducted a blockade - cutting of all rail, road and canal access into West Berlin
What was the Berlin Airlift?
In response to the blockade, the west flew in supplies into West Berlin for over 11 months. This resulted in the failure of the blockade, as the air support sustained the cities population in May 1949.
This formalised tensions between the east and west.
