The Berlin Blockade, June 1948 to May 1949 Flashcards
what happened on 23 June 1948?
the introduction of the new Western-backed Deutsch Mark
what happened on 24 June 1948?
the Soviet Union blocked all road and rail links to the Western zones and to West Berlin through the Soviet Zone
who was the prime mover in driving the allied response to this Soviet Blockade?
Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin
what did Bevin argue?
that the Soviet Union’s ultimate aim was to spread communism across the whole of Germany, and their pressure to oust the Western powers from West Berlin was the first step in this process
what was Bevin adamant for the allies to do?
they must not use military force to access West Berlin but must keep it supplied with essentials
who supported Bevin’s view?
US General Clay
what did General Clay believe?
that any withdrawal from Berlin would threaten the future of democracy in Germany
what was crucial in Germany and the blockade?
a Western non-communist presence
what did Truman order General Clay to do in July 1948?
report on the blockade
what happened in May 1949?
Stalin ended the blockade
what was the result of the blockade for Stalin?
he failed in his aim to prevent the creation of a separate West German state
what had happened by 1949?
containment proved a success and Europe was divided into two blocs
