6_The Berlin Blockade and Airlift (1948–1949)

Causes:

• The Soviet Union blocked all rail, road, and canal access to West Berlin.

• Motivated by:

  • Western Allies giving economic aid to Germany (including Marshall Plan support).

  • Introduction of a new currency in Western zones of Germany and Berlin.

• Result: 2.5 million civilians cut off from food, fuel, medicine, electricity, and other essentials.

Allied Response:

• The U.S., Britain, and France launched the Berlin Airlift.

• Supplies (coal, food, medicine, etc.) flown in from West Germany to West Berlin.

• At its peak, a plane landed every minute.

• Over 11 months: 2.3 million tons of supplies delivered via 270,000 flights.

• General Clay wanted to break the blockade by force, but leaders opted for the airlift to avoid war.

Impact and Consequences:

• The airlift successfully sustained West Berlin and demonstrated Allied commitment.

• Stalin’s goal to force the West to abandon West Berlin failed.

• Blockade lifted in May 1949.

• Hardened East–West divisions in Germany and Europe.

• First major crisis of the Cold War, confirming the division between capitalist West and communist East.