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The Berlin Blockade and two alliances
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Berlin, deep inside the Soviet zone, became the first great flashpoint of the Cold War.
The Berlin Blockade
Germany and Berlin were each split into four zones.
In June 1948 the Western zones introduced a new currency. Stalin responded by blockading all road, rail and canal routes into West Berlin.
In June 1948 the Western zones introduced a new currency. Stalin responded by blockading all road, rail and canal routes into West Berlin.
The Berlin Airlift
The USA and Britain flew in food and fuel to West Berlin for almost a year.
Stalin lifted the blockade in May 1949. It was a propaganda victory for the West.
Stalin lifted the blockade in May 1949. It was a propaganda victory for the West.
Two Germanys, two alliances
In 1949 Germany split into the FRG (West Germany) and GDR (East Germany).
NATO (1949) was a Western military alliance. The USSR tested its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The Warsaw Pact (1955) was the Soviet-led alliance in Eastern Europe.
NATO (1949) was a Western military alliance. The USSR tested its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The Warsaw Pact (1955) was the Soviet-led alliance in Eastern Europe.
Why was the Berlin Airlift a success for the West?
- West Berlin was kept supplied without fighting.
- Stalin had to lift the blockade in May 1949.
- The West looked determined, and the USSR looked aggressive.
Answer: It beat the blockade peacefully and made Stalin back down.
Blockade June 1948 to May 1949, beaten by the Airlift. 1949: NATO, FRG and GDR, Soviet atomic bomb. 1955: Warsaw Pact.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
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