Berlin crisis

1947:

The USA & Britain agreed to combine their zones to form Brizonia

After the war there were

4 zones of occupied Germany and 4 zones in Berlin

1948:

The USSR and West Germany clashed over Berlin

The new western zone has a single government

In June 1948: introduced a new currency to help economic recovery

The new currency alarmed USSR. Stalin did not want a unified western zone against him. 

West Berlin’s strong capitalist economy constantly developing better than the USSR, this also made communism look weak.

Because of the rising economy Stalin decided to blockade Berlin

As he wanted to force the West to withdraw from Berlin. The Western powers believed that if this happened, the Soviet Union would be tempted to invade West Germany.

The west decide to bypass the blockade and fly in supplies

This was the Berlin airlift (lasted for 318 days)

By 1949,

8000 tons of supplies were being flown in each day

Stalin lifted the blockade as it was unsuccessful

In 1949: two separate sates were formed- West Germany and communist East Germany

Stalins blockade during the Berlin crisis showed how unprepared the west would be if there was a conflict with the USSR

The Western powers decide to form a military alliance. In 1949, NATO was created. All members of NATO agreed to respond together if any member of the alliance was attacked.

1955:

The USSR established the Warsaw Pact to rival NATO. All the USSR’s satellite states became members

The Warsaw Pact aims was to improve the defensive capability of Eastern Europe an strengthen relation.

The 2 power blocks in Europe were now NATO and the Warsaw Pact.