the berlin blockade 1948-49 Flashcards
how did the USA’s actions help to cause the blockade
1) west Germany (and west berlin) were benefiting from Marshall aid
2) GB and US had combined west Germany to form BIZONIA then TRIZONIA when France joined
3) they introduced a new currency (Deutschmark) across TRIZONIA
how did Stalin interpret USA’s actions
Stalin believed it was USA’s plan to rebuild Germany into a strong nation and to leave the Soviet zones in poverty. now there was east and west Germany.
why did Stalin decide to impose a blockade in Berlin in June 1948
Stalin hoped to test the strength of the USA and to force them into surrendering west Berlin where 2m people lived
why did the USA and GB decide to fly in supplies to west berlin
if they broke the blockade it would seem as an act of war
nonstop flights took 1000 tons of food and other necessities came to west berlin each day
this was the airlift
why did Stalin not shoot down the planes
this would be seen as an act of war. also the US had stationed B29 bombers which could drop the atom bomb
what were the consequences of the blockade
1) Stalin gave in and ended the blockade on may 1949
2) USA, GB and France combined to form west German
3) Stalin set up east Germany
4) western nations made NATO to ensure that an attack from Stalin would be met with force.
5) Stalin set up the Warsaw pact in 1955, an alliance of eastern nation.
