The Cold War and Berlin Blockade

Why were the East and West originally united?

Their hatred of Hitler and desire to defeat him

What was the 'iron curtain' speech?

Given by Churchill to the USA. Warned that USSR was spreading communism into eastern europe. saying that USSR was becoming enemy

How did the West reply to the expansion of Communism?

The US president issued the Truman Doctrine. The USA also believed that communism spread to countries where there was a poor standard of living, and therefore offered material resources to help reconstruct the economic of countries with the Marshall Plan, which the Soviets refused to accept.

What was the Truman doctrine?

It provide aid to anyone who was resisting communism

When was the Berlin blockade?

June 1948 - May 1949

What did the Soviets block?

Blocked access to West Berlin. The Soviets blocked all transport links by rail, road, air or waterway. They aimed to starve West Berlin and force its merger into the Soviet zone.

How did the Allies react to the Berlin blockade?

The Allies supplied West Berlin through Berlin's airport, brining in food, medical supplies and fuel. They also built a new airport in the Tegal area of French Berlin. This showed the soviets that they would not relinquish control of the Western zone.

What was the impact of the Berlin blockade?

The West was now concerned to protect Western democracy from communism and stop West Berlin falling to the Soviets, without a war. Berlin became the centre of a Cold War.