The Berlin Blockade and Airlift (jun 27, 1948 – may 12, 1949)

Description:

The Berlin blockade and airlift was a pivotal event in the Cold War that began in 1948 and ended in 1949. The blockade was initiated by the Soviet Union in 1948 to isolate the Western-occupied sectors of Berlin from the rest of Germany. The Soviet Union cut off all access to the city, including road, rail, and waterways, in an attempt to force the Western powers out of Berlin. In response, the United States and its allies launched the Berlin airlift, a massive humanitarian operation that supplied the city with food, fuel, and other essential supplies via air transportation. The airlift successfully prevented a humanitarian crisis in the city and demonstrated the ability of the Western powers to stand up to the soviets. The airlift marked a turning point in the Cold War and solidified the relationship between the United States and its Western allies. The Berlin blockade and airlift also highlighted the importance of air transportation and the role it could play in future military and humanitarian operations.

"The Berlin Airlift." U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian, history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/berlin-airlift.

William Camp

Added to timeline:

Date: