1945-1949: Tensions over Germany Flashcards
(26 cards)
Why was Germany and Berlin so important
Had a heavy industry
Was a main country in the 2 world wars
Place where East meets West
Focus of world events
Unclear future
When was the Stuttgart Speech
September 1946
What was The Stuttgart Speech
Speech made James F. Byrnes that argues: Superpowers should not use Germany as a pawn
The USSR is breaking Potsdam agreement
Germany is crucial to recovery in EU
US argues that Gr should be united
How did the US approach Germany + Berlin
Changed that a divided loyal Gr > united, potentially communist Gr.
Jan 1947 Bizonia
1947: Self responsible for coal productions
1948: London Conference agree to ‘Constituent Assembly’ + constitution for 3 West Gr zones agreed
Why was the Marshall Plan significant to Germany
Brought money to Germany but then US realised a divided Gr would be better than a united one.
Keep them from becoming too powerful and undermine US authority.
What was the Soviet response
In November 1947, Zhdanov refers to ‘Western’ bloc of Germany as an “American protectorate”
Shows that USSR accuse Germany of economic imperialism
Who opposed the idea of a divided Germany
George Kennan as thought it would mean Germany be too dependent on the US and would be too expensive
By 1946 what problems did the USA and Britain face
Britain was in Greece helping with the Greek Civil War running out of money in 1947.
Germans expelled from Poland and leaving the Soviet zone. US had problems with USSR with reparations breaking down, USSR not sticking to agreements such as trade between different zones
When was Bizonia
January 1st 1947
What was Bizonia
Merging of the US and British zones.
Happened as Britain did not have enough money and worried of a communist Germany.
How did the USA justify Bizonia
Via the failure of Potsdam and realising a divided Germany would be better
What was the Soviet response to Bizonia
Opposed Bizonia and demanded a control administration creation
Cause of the Berlin Blockade
Introduction of Deutchmark
Get West out of Germany
Divisions over Berlin’s future
Economic differences
Western Zones merged
Course of the Berlin Blockade
Started in 24th June 1948 (day after Deutschmark introduced)
Stalin blocked all road and rail links connecting Western Zones to West Berlin
Led to the Berlin Airlift
Consequence of Berlin Blockade
Led to the Berlin Airlift
What was the Berlin Airlift
The USA would send food and aid to Berlin who relied on West imports.
83,000 tons of cargo and 68,000 people flown out of Berlin
Airlift cost US $350 million; UK £17 million and Western Gr 150 million Deutschmark
When did Germany split
In 1949
West Gr created in 1949 May
East Gr created in 1948 October
When was NATO created
1949
When did West Germany join NATO
1955
When was the Warsaw pact
1955 (after West Germany joins NATO)
What is globalism
Where a global power would influence foreign countries.
What was the WEU
Western European Union
A defence organisation. Made of Br, Fr, Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands. Goal to prevent any Gr resurgence that could threaten EU recovery
Why did USA want WEU to be more than a EU alliance
Give more reassurance that Communism is not being spread globally and not only in Europe
What was NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Alliance of non-communist states
