The Berlin Crisis Flashcards
1
Q
When was Bizonia formed and what was it?
A
- Immediately after the war, there were 4 zones of occupied Germany, and 4 zones in Berlin. In 1947, the USA and Britain agreed to combine their zones to form “Bizonia”. The next year the French agreed to add their zone.
- The new western zone had a single government and in June 1948 introduced a new currenncy to help economic recovery.
2
Q
What did Stalin do as a result of the formation of Bizonia?
A
- West Berlin’s strong capitalist economy embarrased the USSR, and made communism look weak. Stalin decided to blockade Berlin to try and force the West to withdraw from West Berlin. In June 1948, he ordered that all road, rail and canal links between West Berlin and the outside world should be cut off.
3
Q
What was the Berlin Airlift?
A
- The West decided to bypass the blockade and fly in supplies. This became known as the Berlin Airlift and lasted for 318 days. By 1949, 8000 tons of supplies were being flown in each day, Tegel airport was built in West Berlin to accomodate the large volume of flights. It meant supplies could be delivered in even greater numbers.
4
Q
What happened to Germany in 1949?
A
- In 1949, 2 separate states were formed: West Germany and communist East Germany.
5
Q
What was NATO?
A
- Stalin’s blockade during the Berlin crisis showed how unprepared the West would be if there was a conflict with the USSR.
- As a consequence, the Western Powers decided to form a military alliance. In 1949, NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) was created.
- All members of NATO agreed to respond together if any member of the alliance was attacked.
6
Q
What was the Warsaw Pact?
A
- In 1955, the USSR established the Warsaw Pact to rival NATO. All the USSR’s satellite states (except Yugoslavia) became members.
- Its main aims were to improve the defensive capability of Eastern Europe and strengthen relations.
- There were now 2 power blocs in Europe (NATO and the Warsaw Pact)
