The Berlin Blockade (1948)... Also known as The Berlin Airlift (1948)
Why did Stalin Blockade Berlin?
After Stalin had taken over eastern Europe, Germany was next. However, Berlin and Germany were still divided between the US, France, Britain and the USSR. A blockade may force them out of Berlin.
The USA and Britain merged their zones together (named Bizonia) and wanted to make this new state more powerful. This may have made East Germany appear weak.
In March 1948, the USA Congress voted for Marshall Aid. Stalin saw this as an attempt to undermine the USSR’s influence in eastern Europe therefore Stalin needed to take action on Berlin.
On the 1st June, the US and Britain announced they planned to create the new country of West Germany and to introduce a new currency into western Berlin and West Germany. People in eastern Europe believed this new currency was worth more than their money and so changed all their currency. This would cripple the east German economy and the Soviet zone.
The USA and Britain merged their zones together (named Bizonia) and wanted to make this new state more powerful. This may have made East Germany appear weak.
In March 1948, the USA Congress voted for Marshall Aid. Stalin saw this as an attempt to undermine the USSR’s influence in eastern Europe therefore Stalin needed to take action on Berlin.
On the 1st June, the US and Britain announced they planned to create the new country of West Germany and to introduce a new currency into western Berlin and West Germany. People in eastern Europe believed this new currency was worth more than their money and so changed all their currency. This would cripple the east German economy and the Soviet zone.
What Happened during the Blockade?
In June 1948, Stalin blocked all the supply lines to West Berlin from the western Zone of Germany.
Canals, roads, railways – All blocked!
This cut off the two million West-Berlin population from western help.
Stalin believed this would force Berlin to turn to the east for help and therefore, it would become dependent on the USSR and Stalin!
Many argued this was a very clever idea!
If the US tanks tried to ram through the blockades, it would be seen as provocation and an act of war.
If the US don’t react, Berlin belongs to the USSR!
However… the US were not ready to give up Berlin.
Truman wanted to show he was serious about the policy of containment and he wanted Berlin to be a symbol of ‘freedom’ within eastern Germany.
Canals, roads, railways – All blocked!
This cut off the two million West-Berlin population from western help.
Stalin believed this would force Berlin to turn to the east for help and therefore, it would become dependent on the USSR and Stalin!
Many argued this was a very clever idea!
If the US tanks tried to ram through the blockades, it would be seen as provocation and an act of war.
If the US don’t react, Berlin belongs to the USSR!
However… the US were not ready to give up Berlin.
Truman wanted to show he was serious about the policy of containment and he wanted Berlin to be a symbol of ‘freedom’ within eastern Germany.
How did the USA react?
In June 1948, the Allies decided to air-lift supplies to West Berlin!
The planes got through for the next ten months and West Berlin was supplied by a constant stream of aeroplanes bringing
Food
Clothes
Oil
Building materials!
Statistic Fun!
•Berliners received an average of 2,300 calories a day which was higher than the UK food rationing system provided at the time
•At the height of the operation, on April 16 1949, an allied aircraft landed in Berlin every minute
There were shortages in West Berlin and many Berliners did leave the city.
However, by May 1949 (11 months after it began!) it was clear the blockade of Berlin had failed.
The west would not abandon Berlin and so Stalin reopened communications and lifted the blockade.
The planes got through for the next ten months and West Berlin was supplied by a constant stream of aeroplanes bringing
Food
Clothes
Oil
Building materials!
Statistic Fun!
•Berliners received an average of 2,300 calories a day which was higher than the UK food rationing system provided at the time
•At the height of the operation, on April 16 1949, an allied aircraft landed in Berlin every minute
There were shortages in West Berlin and many Berliners did leave the city.
However, by May 1949 (11 months after it began!) it was clear the blockade of Berlin had failed.
The west would not abandon Berlin and so Stalin reopened communications and lifted the blockade.
Significance of the Berlin Airlift/Blockade
1. America had shown that they were serious about Containment (The policy set out in the Truman Doctrine). They refused to allow communism to spread, even just in one city!
2. Stalin looked foolish. He was not able to stop the USA from providing the materials and if he had attacked, he would have been in serious trouble as he did not yet have a nuclear weapon.
3. The USA had the upper hand in the Cold War. They had flexed their financial muscle and won.
4. Germany remained divided as no decision could be made.
2. Stalin looked foolish. He was not able to stop the USA from providing the materials and if he had attacked, he would have been in serious trouble as he did not yet have a nuclear weapon.
3. The USA had the upper hand in the Cold War. They had flexed their financial muscle and won.
4. Germany remained divided as no decision could be made.
QUESTION TIME!
What is the message of this source? (7 marks)
What is the message of this source? (7 marks)