First Berlin Crisis (1948-9) Flashcards

1
Q

Where was Berlin located?

A

Deep in the Soviet-controlled part of Germany (East Germany from 1949)

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2
Q

Why was Germany divided into four sectors after the war?

A

The USA and USSR could not agree on the long-term future of Germany

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3
Q

What were the two main causes of the Berlin Blockade?

A
  • Introduction of new currency (Deutschmark) by Britain, USA, and France in June 1948.
  • Free and fair elections were set up

Stalin believed this this was the first step towards a permanently divided Germany.

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4
Q

Why did Stalin not want a permanently divided Germany?

A
  • He wanted American troops out of Germany
  • He did not want America to have further influence in Germany
  • Germany’s best economic resources were in the west. He feared they would be used to wage a war with the USSR
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5
Q

What was Trizonia?

A

The western zones (USA, Britian, and France) which worked closely together. (In 1949 Trizonia would become West Germany.)

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6
Q

What did Stalin do in response to the new currency and establishing of free elections in Trizonia?

A

He set up a military blockade, blocking of road, rail and canal access to West Berlin.

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7
Q

What was Stalin’s plan with the Berlin Blockade?

A
  • He aimed to starve West Berlin, force the Allies to withdraw and abandon their plans for a divided Germany
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8
Q

When was the Berlin Blockade?

A

June 1948-May 1949

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9
Q

How did Truman respond to the Berlin Blockade?

A

Truman responded with the Berlin Airlift, flying supplies into West Berlin by plane

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10
Q

Roughly how many tonnes of food and supplies were being delivered daily during the Airlift?

A

4000 tonnes per day

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11
Q

What did Truman do to warn Stalin from attempting to shoot down any planes?

A

Truman placed B-29 bombers - capable of carrying atomic bombs - in Britain. These bombers were capable of attacking the USSR directly if necessary.

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12
Q

What did Stalin try and convince the people of West Berlin to do?

A

Stalin tried to convince West Berliners to move to East Berlin.

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13
Q

How many people moved to East Berlin during this period?

A

Only 3% moved to East Berlin

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14
Q

What did the Berlin Blockade and Airlift do for the reputations of Stalin and Truman?

A
  • It made Stalin look aggressive. His failure was a humiliation.
  • It made Truman look peaceful. It was a propaganda success for him and the West.
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15
Q

When did Stalin call off the blockade?

A

12 May 1949

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16
Q

What did the Berlin crisis lead to?

A

The establishment of NATO

17
Q

What does NATO stand for?

A

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

18
Q

What was the impact of the Berlin crisis on international relations?

A

It made them MUCH worse. During the crisis, war was a REAL possibility.

Also:

  • It greatly increased rivalry.
  • It confirmed the divisions of Germany and Berlin.
19
Q

What happened a few days after the end of the Berlin crisis?

A

The Allies announced it would merge its zones to become West Germany (Federal German Republic)

20
Q

How did Stalin respond to the creation of West Germany by the Allies?

A

He turned the Soviet zone of Germany into the German Democratic (easily memorable because of the irony) Republic

21
Q

What did East Germany (GDR) become?

A

East Germany became another Soviet satellite state