Berlin blockade/airlift Flashcards
(12 cards)
What was Stalin’s concern about West Germany?
Stalin was worried that the western part of Germany would take advantage of its stronger position and unite all their zones, eventually taking over the eastern part.
What actions were the Western Allies taking in Berlin that upset Stalin?
The Allies were using money from the Marshall Aid programme to help rebuild the German economy, introducing a new stable currency, and creating jobs in the Western sectors.
What was ‘trizonia’?
‘trizonia’ was the name given to the combined zones of Britain and the USA in Berlin, created to make administration easier.
What was the Berlin Blockade?
On 24 June 1948, Stalin cut all land access to Berlin for the Allies, which became known as the Berlin Blockade.
What was Stalin’s intention with the Berlin Blockade?
Stalin intended to show that the Soviets had power in Germany to match the West’s demonstrations of economic power, rather than to drive the Allies out.
What were the consequences of the Berlin Blockade for West Berlin?
West Berlin could only be accessed by air, leading to food shortages and a lack of basic goods like fuel and medicines.
What was the Berlin Airlift?
The Berlin Airlift was the Western Allies’ response to supply their sectors of Berlin by air, lasting for eleven months until the Blockade was lifted in May 1949.
How frequently did planes land at Berlin’s Templehof Airport during the Airlift?
At the height of the Berlin Airlift, a plane landed at Berlin’s Templehof Airport every minute.
What was the cost of the Berlin Airlift for the USA and Britain?
The Berlin Airlift cost the USA $350 million and Britain £17 million.
What was the aftermath of the Berlin Blockade?
The asymmetry of Germany and Berlin remained a source of tension during the Cold War, leading to the formation of West Germany and NATO.
What was the Warsaw Pact?
The Warsaw Pact was an alliance of communist countries in Eastern Europe formed in response to NATO.
What significant event occurred on 29 August 1949?
The USSR exploded its first atomic bomb, ending the USA’s monopoly on nuclear weapons.
