2.5 The Berlin Blockade

Question 1

Was it agreed that Germany should pay reparations to the ussr

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Did the allies work together in their sectors

Answer 2

each ran their own sector but united to make important decisions as the Allied Control Council (ACC)

Question 3

How did Stalin run east Germany

Answer 3

• became impossible for non-communists to gain any influence on how the territory was run
• opponents were forced into exile

Question 4

What was West Berlin also known as

Answer 4

An island of western influence in the soviet zone

Question 5

What did the west want to do with Germany and how did Stalin respond

Answer 5

• wanted Germany to be rebuilt, Stalin wanted it to remain weak and pay reparations
• it was proposed that a new currency should be introduced accords the whole country, Stalin rejected the idea

Question 6

What happened in March 1948

Answer 6

• at a conference in London, the western allies decided to unite their sectors of Germany
• they would also introduce a new currency to west Germany and West Berlin
• Stalin was unhappy with the decision and a separate currency was planned for the east

Question 7

How did the Soviets try to make western official withdraw from West Berlin

Answer 7

• in April 1948, began making life as difficult as possible:
• soviet troops used their control of the area surrounding West Berlin to block the transport of military supplies to western troops stationed in the city
• they introduced traffic restrictions
• closed bridges for ‘maintenance’
• searched vehicles travelling to the western sector

Question 8

What was the name of when the Soviets tried to make western officials leave West Berlin

Answer 8

Mini-blockade

Question 9

What did the mini-blockade cause

Answer 9

Rather than encouraging west Berliners to leave, it made them more determined to stay

Question 10

What worsened the relationship between east and west on 5 April 1948

Answer 10

• probably accidental collision between British and soviet plane
• lack of cooperation in the investigation showed how bad relations had become
• opponents of communists (argued that both currencies should be allowed in the city) were beaten up as the police stood by
• as violence increased, Stalin launched a full blockade

Question 11

What did the Berlin blockade consist of

Answer 11

• all transport links were blocked
• western allies could not get any supplies (food, fuel, medicine) into West Berlin
• electricity from power stations in the soviet sector to factories and offices in West Berlin were cut

Question 12

What was the official reason given for the Berlin blockade

Answer 12

• coal shortages
• it was clear that Soviet Union wanted to make life as difficult as possible for the city’s inhabitants
• Truman and Attlee would not retreat from Berlin

Question 13

Berlin blockade timeline

Answer 13

• 23 feb: Western allied powers meet in London to plan for the western sectors to be unified
• 12 march: Molotov (soviet foreign minister) hears about the plan and accuses allies of breaking Potsdam agreements
• 20 march: Attlee and Truman refuse to discuss plans for west Germany at ACC meeting, angering the Soviets
• March/April: Soviets begin mini blockade
• Late April: the London conference meets again and makes plan for a new currency
• 23 June: violence erupts at a tense meeting of the Berlin Council
• 24 June: Berlin Blockade begins