Berlin blockade Flashcards
How was Germany divided at the end of the wartime conferences?
Into 4 zones of temporary occupation: French, British, US, Soviet. Berlin, though in the Soviet zone, was subdivided in the same format.
The partitioning of Germany was supposed to be a temporary solution, but there was tension between the Western powers and USSR about the long-term future of Germany. How did their intentions for Germany differ?
The USSR was concerned with weakening Germany so that it would become part of the Soviet empire; Stalin was charging war reparations on its eastern part of Germany.
The West was concerned with rebuilding Germany so that it wouldn’t turn to Communism; the USA was giving the rest of Germany Marshall aid.
What happened in March 1948?
The western-occupied zones of Germany merged into Trizonia, which angered Stalin.
(So Trizonia included the 3 Western zones of Germany, and the 3 Western zones of Berlin.)
When was Trizonia formed?
March 1948.
When was the Deutschmark currency introduced to Trizonia and West Berlin?
June 1948.
What was the name of the currency introduced to Trizonia in June 1948?
The Deutschmark.
Why was Stalin angry at the western powers’ introduction of the Deutschmark currency?
It financially and symbolically separated the zones of Germany and Berlin, making these areas richer. He saw the currency as a means of forcing east Germany into poverty.
What did Stalin do after the West introduced the Deutschmark?
He began gradually closing off all land routes into West Berlin, for example, the (??) motorway. He then blocked off rail routes and finally blocked gas and electricity supplies.
When was the Berlin blockade?
June 1948.
What were Stalin’s intentions in carrying out the Berlin blockade?
West Berlin was completely surrounded by Soviet occupied land, so would soon run short of food and supplies. Stalin hoped that the western powers would give up control of their zones in Berlin, leaving the whole capital under Soviet control.
Why couldn’t the western Allies just force supplies into West Berlin, via the closed land routes, in response to the blockade?
This would risk direct military confrontation and potentially war.
How did the western Allies respond to the Berlin blockade? How did West Berlin respond?
Operation Vittles
They airlifted supplies into the city on a constant rotation. Soldiers and civilians of West Berlin built a runway at Berlin-Tempelhof and a whole new Berlin-Tegel airport.
How long did Operation Vittles last?
318 days.
How many tonnes of supplies were flown into West Berlin in January 1949, the peak month?
170,000 tonnes.
In which month and year did the western allies fly 170,000 tonnes of supplies into West Berlin?
January 1949.
