D. What were the consequences of the Berlin Blockade?

When was the Berlin Blockade?

The Berlin Blockade was from 1948 - 1949

How did the USA and USSR differ in treatment to Germany?

• The USSR wanted to punish Germany and keep it as a buffer zone, East Germany was forbidden to trade with other zones and East Germany industry stripped so there were no investments in the economy

• Western Powers wanted Germany to recover and encouraged the West German economy with Marshall Aid, creating a gulf in living standards between each zone

• An attempted take-over of West Berlin by communists failed due to Western support

  • Stalin believed the US were using Marshall aid to increase their control of Germany

• Creation of a West German bloc o June 1948 allies combined their zones creating ‘bizonia’

  • New currency ‘Deutschmark’ was introduced

  • This currency could spread to the East

• USSR’s zone

  • Berlin was an annoyance due to its location deep in the Soviet zone

  • Stalin embarrassed at different living standards between West and East Berliner

What were the events of the blockade?

• Stalin cut all road, rail and canal links to West Berlin and attempted to force the Allies to pull out.

• A vast airlift, ‘operation vittles’, was organized to ferry food and fuel into Berlin.

• The operation lasted 10 months, with over 200,000 flights landing around 9000 tonnes of food and fuel per day

• USSR attempted to disrupt the operation, but didn’t shoot planes down

• B29 bombers, capable of carrying atomic weapons, were ordered to GB in case of an escalation of the crisis

Why did the Blockade fail

• A warm winter reduce the need for fuel

• The allies were determined not to give up, B29s signalled their intentions

• The Airlift was well organised

What were the results of the Blockade?

• NATO was set up in 1949 which was a defensive alliance

• The Warsaw pact was set up in 1954 in retaliation by Stalin

• The USA were committed to helping Europe, military spending was increased

• Rivalry between East and West increased

• Germany would remain a divided nation as Allies created FDR (Federal Republic of Germany) and Stalin created GDR (German Democratic Republic)

What were the causes of the Blockade?

• An attempted take-over of West Berlin by communists failed due to Western support

• Stalin believed the US were using Marshall aid to increase their control of Germany

• In June 1948, the allies combined their zones creating ‘bizonia’ and a new currency ‘Deutschmark’ was introduced

• Therefore, Stalin was embarrassed at different living standards between West and East Berlin