The Berlin Blockade

The Berlin Blockade was set up in 1948 until 1949 as Stalin wanted to establish it as a private state. He wanted to cut West Germany off from its capital so that they could not control territory and in turn prove that a divided Germany would not work hoping that he would receive control over all of Germany.

·         The Berlin Blockade: (48-49)

o   Stalin set up military blockade around West Berlin to prevent establishment of a separate state.

o   He planned to cut West Germany off from its capital so that the new government based in Berlin, could not control territory in West Germany. This would prove that a divided Germany would not work.

o   Truman responded with the Berlin Airlift. Allied planes transported supplies to West Berlin around the clock. They initially committed around 70 large cargo planes, carrying 600-700 tonnes of food and supplies a day.

o   This increased to a 1000 tonnes later on. British Authorities maintained a similar system and at its height provided 170,000 tonnes in Jan 1949.

o   Airlift prevented Blockade from succeeding. Truman’s response was peaceful and made Stalin look aggressive.

o   Berlin Blockade was propaganda success for the Americans. In May Stalin ended it and in September 1949, West Germany became the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

o   One month later the USSR set up German Democratic Republic (GDR) in East Germany.