Untitled Deck Flashcards
What was decided about Germany in 1945 by the Four Power Allied Control Council?
Germany was divided into four zones, controlled by the USA, USSR, Britain, and France. Berlin, the capital city, was also divided into similar zones. The Allied Control Council coordinated economic and political decisions to ensure uniformity across the zones.
What was Stalin’s approach to the USSR zone?
Stalin aimed to make Berlin a communist center, merging the Communist Party with the Social Democrats into the German Socialist Unity Party (SED). The USSR nationalized industries and made learning Russian compulsory in schools.
How did the USA manage its zone?
The USA organized free elections and merged its zone with the British zone in 1947, forming Bizonia to promote economic recovery.
What were Britain’s priorities for its zone?
Britain sought economic recovery for its zone with support from the Marshall Plan. Protecting the Ruhr Valley from French and Soviet influence was also a key goal.
How did France view the division of Germany?
France supported splitting Germany into two separate states (East and West) and sought international control over the Ruhr Valley to ensure French security and influence.
What led to the creation of Bizonia, and what was its significance?
On January 1, 1947, the American and British zones merged into Bizonia to address economic hardships. This move escalated tensions with the USSR, signaling the failure of the Four Power Zone system and paving the way for the division into East and West Germany.
What was the impact of Bizonia on East-West relations?
The Soviets opposed Bizonia and suggested unifying Germany under one economic administration, which the West rejected. The introduction of the Deutsche Mark in June 1948 further strained relations, leading to the division of Germany.
What were the outcomes of Germany’s division between 1947-1949?
Germany was split into East and West, creating ideological divides. The West German Constitution was approved in May 1949, with Konrad Adenauer becoming the first Chancellor. Stalin intensified communist control in the East through the German Socialist Unity Party (SED).
What role did the Western Allies retain in Germany after its division?
Britain, France, and America maintained international decision-making powers over Germany, while internal governance was handled by the new German government.
How did Stalin respond to the Western influence in Germany?
Stalin established the Soviet Military Administration and merged the Communist Party with the Social Democrats to strengthen communist influence in East Germany.
What was the Berlin Blockade?
The Berlin Blockade (June 1948 - May 1949) was Stalin’s attempt to force the Western Powers to relinquish control of West Berlin, aiming to bring the city entirely under Soviet control by blocking road and rail access from Western zones to Berlin.
How did Stalin justify the blockade?
The blockade was a response to the introduction of the Deutsche Mark in West Berlin, which Stalin saw as a threat. He believed the Western Powers would not use military force to break it.
What were the Western Powers’ concerns about the blockade?
The British believed the blockade was part of a broader Soviet plan to convert all of Germany to communism.
How did the USA and Britain respond to the blockade?
They organized an airlift, dropping supplies into West Berlin by plane to sustain the population. The airlift demonstrated their commitment to resisting Soviet control without triggering war.
Why didn’t Stalin escalate the conflict by attacking the supply planes?
Stalin wanted to avoid war and therefore refrained from shooting down the planes.
