KQ4- Berlin blockade

What did the western powers do between 1945-1948 which angered Stalin?

• In June 1948, the western powers created a new currency deutschmark for use in the 4 zones but Stalin refused for it to be allowed in his zone

• In June 1948 the allies combined their zones ‘bizonia’- breach of the Yalta conference agreement

• Encouraged the West German economy with Marshall aid - Stalin believed the US were using Marshall aid to increase their control in Germany

How did Stalin respond to the idea of introducing the new currency?

• Stalin blockaded West Berlin, blocking all traffic moving west to east

• He turned off all gas and electricity supplies

• He hoped he could force the western powers out of Berlin and remove an awkward symbol of western life from his zone

What was the Berlin blockade?

• Stalin blockaded West Berlin which caused the big 3 to supply the city’s inhabitants via an airlift

What was involved in the airlift?

• Brought over 2 million tons of cargo to the city

• 300,000 flights in total

• Coal, food and petrol were transported by air from 3 bases in the western sectors of Germany

What did Stalin fail to do?

• In May 1949 Stalin lifted the blockade having failed to unite Germany under Soviet control

What were the results of the Berlin Blockade?

• The wartime powers agreed to denazify, demilitarise and democratise Germany

• NATO was set up on April 4th 1949

• Allies created FDR and Stalin created GDR

• Warsaw pact set up in 1954- retaliation by Stalin

• COMINFORM AND COMECON established

What was the Warsaw pact?

• On 14 May 1955 8 countries agreed in Poland to unify their armed forces under a central command

• It was in response to the re-armament of West Germany and it's incorporation to NATO

Who created Bizonia?

General Clay