The first berlin crisis

Causes

Wartime conferences

Germany divided into 4 zones - France, USA, UK, USSR

Berlin was divided the same way but was in the soviet zone

Policies in soviet zone

USSR tried to make the soviet zone communist

Introduced communist policies eg land reforms and nationalisation

Spread communist propaganda and education

Influenced communist party

Wanted to make Berlin communist

Western zones grew stronger

USA reduced reperations In 1946 Whereas Stalin kept Germany week took 30b

Received Marshall aid

Stalin disliked this economic recovery

Rising tensions

Falling trust with USA Germany increasingly divided, Stalin has given up trying to reunify the whole country

Western zones introduced deutshemark 1948 new currency

Events

Berlin blockade

24 June 1948

Stalin cut off all road, rail, and communications to Berlin

His aim was to force the USA to leave Berlin which was in the middle of the soviet zone

Berlin airlift

USA responded by airlifting supplies to help the 2 million people in West Berlin, didn’t want to give up due to containment but wanted to avoid direct war with USSR

2.3 million tons weee flown in 278,000 flights. Planes landed roughly every 3 minutes

12 may 1949 Stalin gave up and ended the blockade

Consequences

Damaged Stalin’s reputation

Looked aggressive for starting it

looked weak for ending it

Rising tensions Falling trust

Highlighted rivalry and end to wartime alliance

Showed competition in europe

Led to creation of NATO

Permenant division of Germany

FRG west may 1949

GDR east oct 1948

Creation of NATO

Alliance tie the USA with Europe military and respond to soviet agression

Creation of Warsaw pact

Alliance between USSR and satellite states

Response to FRG joining NATO

Europe now divided militarily

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