Berlin Blockade / Berlin Airlift (jun 24, 1948 – may 12, 1949)

Description:

Tensions between the two superpowers reached its first high point over control of Germany

- Stalin was afraid that Germany would become stronger and become a threat to SU & wanted to force Allies out of Berlin
- Stalin planned to block food supply to West Berlin by blocking land and water - sea route, road and railway links between East & West Germany. He also blocked electricity.
- Stalin’s aim was to starve West Berlin and to keep Germany divided and weak

- But the Western powers wanted to prevent the problem of poverty which might encourage the Germans to seek change by turning to communism
- The USA and Britain agreed to transport supplies into West Berlin by air- the only channel not blocked by Stalin
- The Berlin Airlift flew supplies into West Berlin for 11 months
- The Soviets did not shoot the planes as it may be seen as an act of war
- Knowing that the blockade had failed, Stalin had no choice but the reopen the land and sea route to West Berlin
- The failure of the blockade humiliated the Soviet Union
- It also boosted the credibility of the Western powers

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