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Berlin Blockade
Manuela Mur and Chris Hallstrand
What caused the Berlin Blockade (underlay the conflict)● One of the main causes of the Berlin Blockade was the
Cold War which was just getting started. Stalin was taking over eastern europe by salami tactics (divide and conquer process of threats and alliances to overcome opposition) and Czechoslovakia had just turned communist (March 1948). And then the U.s. had just adopted the Truman doctrine to try and contain the USSR.
What caused the Berlin Blockade (underlay the conflict)● Another reason for the Berlin Blockade was that the U.S.
and The USSR had different aims for what they wanted to do with Germany. Stalin wanted to destroy Germany, he was already stripping East Germany of its wealth and machinery. And on the other side Britain and the U.S. wanted to rebuild Germany’s industry to become a wealthy trading partner. This was done so the mistakes of Versailles would not repeat themselves. Their differences led to the Blockade. Their policies were so different that conflict was bound to break out.
What caused the Berlin Blockade (actual events)● In January 1947 Britain and the U.S. joined their two zones.
They called the new zone Bizonia which means “two zones”. The combination of the American and British occupation zones made it easier to run the area economically. It also led to the creation of the German Economic Council with powers of taxation. With the creation of this they changed directions in what they wanted to do to Germany. It went from control of the Germans to increased political autonomy for the Germans. The USSR realized this and that the U.S. and Britain were trying to create a new strong Germany and they were quite upset at this. The Russians were trying to change Germany into an area they could take over and destroy, not an area which would regrow and become allies with them all.
What caused the Berlin Blockade (actual events)● Then on March 31st 1948, Congress voted for Marshall Aid. The
goals of this were to rebuild war-devastated regions, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, make Europe prosperous once more, and then lastly prevent the spread of Communism. The Marshall Plan (also know as the European Recovery Program ERP) required a lessening of interstate barriers, a dropping of many regulations, and it encouraged an increase in productivity, labor union membership, as well as the adoption of modern business procedures. Stalin saw all that as an attempt to undermine Russian influence in eastern Europe (he was right). Because of the ERP the communist influence was greatly reduced and the party’s popularity faded.
What caused the Berlin Blockade (actual events)● Then finally on June 1st, the U.S. and Britain announced that
they wanted to create the new country of West Germany. They introduced new currency into Bizonia and western Berlin on June 23rd. The people of eastern Europe began to change all their money into the new western currency because they believed it was worth more. Because of this the next day the Russians stopped all road and rail traffic into Berlin. This was the first time Stalin officially blocked off the borders of Berlin.
Currency
The Americans claimed that Stalin was trying to force the U.S. out of Berlin and that the blockade was Russian empire-building in eastern Europe. And on the other hand Stalin claimed that by introducing the new currency, the U.S. and Britain had been trying to wreck the east German economy. Stalin also claimed that the airlift was simply a propaganda move intended to make the Cold War worse.
What was it● The Berlin Blockade began in June of 1948 and was withdrawn
in May of 1949● The Blockade was essentially a threat brought on by Stalin
to show his efforts to gain control of Europe, also in retaliation of the threats from the U.S.
● It blocked all types of transportation EXCEPT by air● Shut down other things including industry and electricity● The main goal for the Blockade was to withhold access to
necessary goods in Berlin to practically starve the people until they would submit under his power
● Also, lack of supplies would allow the Soviet Union to have an upper hand at a time where Western Europe was flourishing
Solution?● As the Blockade was a huge issue, it was essential to
find an answer very quickly● Pressure was put onto President Truman to make a decision
because his input was very important● It was a true test on Truman’s idea of ‘Containment’- he
was determined not to let USSR take west Berlin● President Truman made the call on whether the United
States would stay in Berlin- “there was no discussion on that point, we are going to stay-period”
● This is significant because it could have been the tipping point for Stalin to declare war on the USA, and Truman knew that but still stayed with Berlin
Berlin Airlift● Many countries including the United States, Britain,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa all worked together to form a solution which we now know as the Berlin Airlift
● This solution was by no means an easy or simple task though, as the goal was to sustain a city of two million people only by air
Berlin Airlift● Participation in the Airlift was a huge
commitment that did not guarantee victory
● The Airlift lasted over a year - from June of 1948 to September of 1949
● Constant inflow of supplies by air came in to Berlin - a new plane landed in Berlin approximately every two minutes - both day and night
● Supplies would include anything from coal and paper to food● More than 2 million tons of goods were delivered within the
15 month operation
Result● Why didn’t Stalin do something about the Airlift?
-A violent retaliation would have ignited tension between the allies, thus potentially beginning a possible WWIII
● The Airlift ended up being a huge success that not only allowed West Germany to re-stabilize, but also to thrive in celebration of this major propaganda win against USSR
● Major failure on Stalin’s part as the blockade ended up accelerating Western growth
● As a result of the conflict however, Germany would stay divided politically- Democratic Western Germany and Communist East Germany
Why it didn’t succeedThe Berlin Blockade was not successful because of strong determination from defending western allies. Western Berlin had been on the rise of growth before the Blockade, and the purpose of the Blockade was to interrupt this growth. The determination of victory on the U.S. and Britain’s part aided in the Blockade’s failure for self-satisfying incentives. If the airlift were to be successful, Germany and Berlin would have them to thank and could continue to support them economically. Stalin had no choice but to withdraw the blockade since it had proven not to work.
https://youtu.be/cH-GVf9floo
https://youtu.be/cH-GVf9floo
