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Flashcards in Berlin Crises Deck (18)
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1
Q

Where was the USA’s Policy of containment soon put to test?

A

In Berlin

2
Q

Nowhere were the underlying tensions of the Cold War so close to the surface as here in the former Capital of Germany, which lay deep within the Soviet zone and was divided into four _______ of occupation. Many in the West saw Berlin as a symbol of ______ behind the __________.

A

Sectors
Freedom
Iron Curtain

3
Q

What marked the climax of the conflict between East and West?

A

The Berlin crises

4
Q

To what year can the origins of the year be traced back to?

A

1945

5
Q

Which conferences handled the post-war treatment of Germany?

A

Yalta and Potsdam

6
Q

What were the problems of carrying out the principles?

A

The Western nations and the Soviet Union cane into conflict because both sides had different interpretations of the principles.

7
Q

Why were the Western allies frustrated at Soviet in terms of the principles?

A

The soviets refused to help with the economic recovery of Germany, especially in providing much needed currency. They decided to develop the economy and democracy in their own zones.

8
Q

Why was the USSR afraid of a strong,democratic and united Germany?

A

They feared that it would be hostile. They feared that any new western currency would spread into the Soviet Zone.

9
Q

The strong West Berlin currency would undermine that of East Berlin and highlight its relative _______. This could destroy Soviet control of the _______.

A

Poverty

Economy

10
Q

What immediate events led to the crises?

  1. ) US and Britain zones merged into one economic unit known as the _______.
  2. )________ representatives walked out of the Allied Control Commission complains that Western attitudes made it ______.
  3. ) The Western zones were included in the ______ and _________.
  4. ) Soviet troops began to hold up and search road and rail traffic entering _____ from the _______.
  5. ) The western allies announced plans with ______ to create a West German State.
A
Bizone 
Western 
Unworkable 
OECC
Marshall Plan
Berlin 
Western Zone 
France
11
Q
  1. ) The allies introduced a ________ in the Western Zones
  2. ) The new Currency was extended to West Berlin. The USSR introduced it own new currency into _____ zone-including Berlin
  3. ) The Soviet accused the West of _________ in its zone. It cut of all road,rail and canal traffic into the Western sectors of Berlin.
A

New currency
Soviet
Interference

12
Q

What reasons did Stalin have for the blockade?

A
  • To force the Western Allies to pull out of their sectors by starving West Berlin into surrender
  • To make them abandon their plans for separate development of their German zones
13
Q

What dilemma did the West now face?

A

If they tried to force a route through Berlin, the USSR would interpret this as an act of war, which France in particular refused to consider. To do nothing would be seen as a sign of weakness, and would probably result in communist takeover of Berlin.

14
Q

What did the West do since the land routed were blocked?

A

They came up with an air bridge. For the next year the West supplied the Western sectors of Berlin by air with requirements including food, building materials and medical supplies. This was know as the Berlin Airlift

15
Q

What did Stalin do in May 1949?

A

Because the West refused to give up, he reopened the land routes.

16
Q

What was set up in West Germany in September?

A

A West German Federal Republic through free elections with Bonn as its capital and Adenauer as its first chancellor.

17
Q

Significance of the blockade:

  • It was clear that the Western powers would resist with great determination any Russian attempt to ______ Central Europe. They upheld the western sectors of Berlin by a vast and costly ______.
  • The Berlin blockade strengthened the USA’s decision not to withdraw from Europe. A formal defense alliance. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (______) was formed in 1948
  • Cold war was now in the ______
  • Berlin became a powerful symbol of Cold War _______, and also a potential flashpoint for future crises
A
Dominate 
Airlift 
NATO
Open 
Tensions
18
Q

Significance of the blockade:

  • Relations between East and West had worsened. A state of permanent _______ existed between them.
  • The division was confirmed with the formation of two rival _______ organizations-NATO and Warsaw Pact
A

Hostility

Defense