Why was Berlin blockaded in 1948?

Question 1

What was the new currency called?

Answer 1

Deutsche Mark

Question 2

When was the Deutsche Mark introduced?

Answer 2

1948

Question 3

Where was the Deutsche Mark introduced?

Answer 3

only in the Trizone (including Berlin)

Question 4

Did the Soviets know about the introduction of the Deutsche Mark?

Answer 4

no

Question 5

What did the Soviets not knowing about the Deutsche Mark being introduced in the Trizone cause?

Answer 5

-caused conflict as the soviets wanted to introduce their new currency first (East German Mark)

Question 6

Why would the introduction of a new currency cause a political crisis in Berlin?

Answer 6

-would result in 2 different currencies controlled by the different zones (Trizone and the Soviet zone)
-Soviet zone introduced their own East German Mark->caused problems for business production, black markets collapsed and trade was stimulated

Question 7

Who was appointed as Director of the Economic council of the Bizone (later Trizone) and responsible for the new currency?

Answer 7

Ludwig Erhard

Question 8

Why did the Soviets oppose Ludwig Erhard’s role?

Answer 8

they thought it would undermine their zone due to him being the Director of the Economic Council of the Bizone

Question 9

What did Berlin become?

Answer 9

-the battle zone->deep in the heart of the soviet zone

Question 10

What does the Soviet Union do to Berlin?

Answer 10

-decide to blockade it because it is the capital of Germany->more power to the Soviet zone
-decided the situation had gone far enough and they blockaded Berlin in order to force the integration of Berlin into their zone

Question 11

What does blockade mean?

Answer 11

-to seal off somewhere to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving

Question 12

When did the Berlin blockade happen?

Answer 12

-24th June 1948

Question 13

How long was Berlin blockaded for?

Answer 13

-from 24th June 1948-12th May 1949

Question 14

What did the Blockade do?

Answer 14

-blockaded all access to West Berlin which became an isolated island in the Soviet zone
-Aimed to pressurise the Allies into giving up the new currency

Question 15

What was the Berlin Airlift?

Answer 15

-provided food and fuel supplies to the population of West Berlin->provided for about a year to prevent there being an impact on Berlin

Question 16

Who was the Berlin Airlift organised by?

Answer 16

the Western Powers

Question 17

Was the blockade successful?

Answer 17

-Soviets eventually ended the blockade when it became apparent it was not working

Question 18

Was the Berlin blockade a short term or long term success?

Answer 18

-short term success but didn’t solve the long term problems affecting Berlin

Question 19

What were the issues facing Germany by 1947?

Answer 19

-housing crisis
-currency reform led to people using the Black Market making it impossible for the government to tax people
-rationing
-opposing ideologies (communists and capitalists)

Question 20

What did the Blockade and airlift proved what about the Soviet or Western powers?

Answer 20

-that neither Soviet or Western Powers were willing to risk war or back down on their principles

Question 21

When was the Blockade lifted and what was inevitable?

Answer 21

-the blockade was lifted by May 1949 and the division of Germany was inevitable

Question 22

By what year was Germany divided into East and West?

Answer 22

1949