Berlin Blockade (jun 24, 1948 – may 12, 1949)
Description:
The French, USA and UK had merged into a single unit and introduced The Deutsche Mark throughout the western controlled parts. The Soviet Union saw these acts as a threat and accused the Allied Powers of violating their agreement. Stalin blocked access to the Western-held sectors of Berlin and cut off all rail and road routes going through Soviet-controlled territory. The routes by river and canal to the Baltic Sea were also blocked. He intended to show that East Germany was powerful and could match the western region. The US and UK organized airlifts to send vital supplies to West Berlin. US President Truman believed that this move was significant because losing Berlin might lead to losing the whole of Germany. Due to continued shortages in fuel and electricity, the Soviet Union lifted the blockade on 12 May 1949. The airlift officially ended on 30 September 1949.Added to timeline:
Date:
jun 24, 1948
may 12, 1949
~ 10 months