The Berlin Blockade 1948 Flashcards
What was decided about Germany and Berlin at Yalta and Potsdam?
At Yalta and Potsdam it was decided that Germany and Berlin would be divided into four zones to be occupied by the armies of Britain, France, the USSR and the USA. Each power could take reparations from their zones but not so much as to endanger the lives of ordinary Germans. The USSR could also take reparations from the British and US zones in exchange for providing supplies of food, fuel and raw materials.
Why did the Western powers want Germany to recover and why did the USSR not want this?
The Western powers wanted Germany to recover so that it could both act as a barrier against the spread of communism and a cornerstone of European economic recovery. Therefore 1.3 billion of Marshall aid was invested. However, the USSR wanted Germany to remain weak as they had invaded Russia twice since 1914
What state was Germany in by 1948?
The western zones of Germany where on the road to economic recovery mainly because of Marshall aid however the USSR had removed a significant amount of resources from the East to compensate for war damage, so living conditions were much poorer.
What happened in June 1948? Why?
On the 24th of June 1948 Stalin ordered the closure of all road, rail and canal links with West Berlin.
Stalin took this action as he saw the reconstruction of a Germany which could once again threaten Russia. This recovery would also be obvious to the poor people of East Berlin who were living so close to their Western neighbors. This could cause problems as lower living conditions in the communist zone may cause discontent
What did Stalin hope this would cause?
Stalin hoped the West would abandon Berlin thus leaving it under soviet control. As Berlin only had enough supplies to last a maximum of six weeks.
Why did the USA take action?
They had become a powerful symbol of the struggle for supremacy in Europe between capitalism and communism. Any sign of weakness would result in the collapse of American influence over the rest of Europe.
What was the Berlin Airlift?
The Berlin airlift was the act of flying suppliers into west Berlin from elsewhere. Up to 13,000 tonnes of supplies were flown into Berlin each day with planes landing at two minute intervals.
the airlift had not been expected to work and for long periods the two million residents of west Berlin where forced to endure severe rationing however with no sign of America giving in Stalin was forced to admit defeat and ended the blockade on 12th May 1949
Why was the breaking of the Berlin blockade propaganda?
the breaking of the Berlin blockade was a huge propaganda triumph for the west and setback for the USSR. The policy of containment could be seen to have worked as communism had failed to spread to West Berlin. In April 1949 12 Western nations set up the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to prevent future soviet aggression and was based around the principle.
