Berlin Blockade

Question 1

when?

Answer 1

June 1948- May 1949

Question 2

origins

Answer 2

• during Yalta + Potsdam; decided that Germany should be divided temporarily into 4 zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, France)
• expected for Germany to emerge as united, independent state again

Question 3

why did the post war powers fail to unify germany?

Answer 3

• germany’s key strategic position + differing aims of the main powers
• increasing lack of trust between E and W as cold war develops
• specific disputes between the post war powers within germany
• berlin blockade

Question 4

results of the berlin blockade

Answer 4

• division of Germany
• continuation of 4-power control in Berlin
• formation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
• humiliation for Stalin as failed
• • Berlin becomes symbol of western determination to prevent the spread of communism as a political force
• gives WG confidence in American support; lowers likelihood of communism being adopted
• soviets have to recognize political rights of wester berlin as separate political entity

Question 5

division of germany as result?

Answer 5

1. failure of blocakde; division pound to happen
   = west moves to set up FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY with Konrad Adenauer as Chancellor; divided germany protected by u perferable
2. In response; soviets set up GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
   = economic and political division

Question 6

continuation of 4-power control in berlin as result?

Answer 6

Berlin continues ad divided city

- 4 power occuptaiton within new GDR

Question 7

formation of NATO as result?

Answer 7

• justification rather than cause for formation
• Soviet threat to Berlin (along with czech coup); reinforce West suspiciouns about Stalin= WANT TO ESTABLISH A DEFENCE COMMITEMENT TO EUROPE
• nato formed with US, Cannada, Scandanavia powers, iceland, italy, portugal
• West germany joins nato 1954; confirms soviet suspicions about danger of armed germany on its borders
  = results in Soviets producing WARSAW PACT; brings all states of eastern europe under a single military command

Question 8

causes

Answer 8

• introduction of new currency
• Stalin wants to prevent formation of WG state strengthened by MP
• Stalin wants to reopen talks

Question 9

US reaction to blockade

Answer 9

• seen as direct challenge from Stalin
• didn’t want military confrontation; use ‘airlift’; american and british planes fly to berlin and deilver food and coal to west berliners (last 324 days)

= threat to soviet military response
= stalin ends blocakde 1949

Question 10

causes

Answer 10

• introduction of new currency
• Stalin wants to prevent formation of WG state strengthened by MP
• Stalin wants to reopen talks about germany

Question 11

what reasons did stalin give to justify the blocakde?

Answer 11

1. US would not use nuclear weapons over Berlin
2. Red Army would be ordered to resist any forced attempt of the USA to end the blockade through a military convoy
3. If the USA decided to launch a full-fledged attack, Stalin alone would determine how to respond

Question 12

germany’s key strategic position + differing aims of the main powers

Answer 12

• Germanys geographic position in the centre of Europe; potential of economic sgrength
• United germany; threat to Soviet Securty but also want their REPARATIONS
• US wants European peace + rapid german economic recovery contain communism (marshall plan ideology); UK endorses view as its bankrupt

Question 13

increasing lack of trust between E and W as cold war develops

Answer 13

• difference sin aims ant attitudes in cold war
• mutual suspiscin between USSR and Western Powers
• speed of recovery of germany central cold war issue

Question 14

increasing lack of trust between E and W as cold war develops

Answer 14

• differences in aims ant attitudes in cold war
• mutual suspiscin between USSR and Western Powers
• speed of recovery of germany central cold war issue

Question 15

specific disputes between the post war powers within germany

Answer 15

1. economic conflict;
   a. reparations (set up in potsdam; USSR wants 25% of German industrial equipment food and raw matierals); USSR wasnt delivering enough food to west so US/UK stop supplying soviet zone

b. germany coal; soviet want coal from west, americans want german to use coal for eocnomic resconstruction of western europe; merginig of british and american zones to BIZONIA

2. Polictical conflict
   a. Stalin wants to incorporate reunified Germany in Moscow’s sphere of influence using REd Army; Soviets merge political parties of Wast under SOcialist UNity Party
   =West rejects idea so East Starts forming own regime
3. Consolidation; Western powers want to create privisional germany government; want to create NEW CURRENCY
   = Stalin sees it as establishment of new germany in west; motivated blockade