History 12

Rachel McMillan
UNIT SIX
Berlin Blockade

1. Before you begin reading the section on the Berlin Blockade, create five questions for yourself
that you need to know after you have read the section.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

What was the relationship between East and West Berlin like prior to the blockade?
Why did the division of Berlin escalate to a blockade?
What did the USSR hope to achieve through the Berlin Blockade?
How was the Blockade carried out?
How did the West respond to the Berlin Blockade?
Were there any lasting effects on Germany or Berlin as a result of the Blockade?

2. List what you already know about Berlin, including its geography after WWII, its history prior to
the beginning of the Cold War, and how it was divided after WWII
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

o
o

Berlin was historically a very important city to the German Empire

the country of Germany, was split into four occupational zones after WWII
the USA, France, Britain, and the USSR were each responsible for a zone
the City of Berlin was located in the USSR zone, but was also split between the four
allies
the USA, France, and Britain would eventually merge to create West Germany and
West Berlin
the West continued to evolve under capitalist rule, while the east hardly progressed under
communism
West Berlin and East Berlin would eventually become an important symbol of the Cold
War, depicting the differences, advantages, and disadvantages between capitalism and
communism
the division of Berlin eventually escalated as the USSR stopped allowing the USA,
Britain, and France to enter Berlin by car or train
The Berlin Blockade was dismantled in 1949

3. After you have finished reading the section, answer the five questions that you previously asked in
question number one.
i.

What was the relationship between East and West Berlin like prior to the blockade?
While tension between the superpowers in the East and West still existed due to political
and economic inconsistencies, it could be considered negligible previous to the Blockade.
At such a time, Citizens of Berlin had the freedom to travel, work, shop and live in any
sector of Berlin.

History 12
ii.

Rachel McMillan
Why did the division of Berlin escalate to a blockade?
Leading up to the Blockade, the USA had introduced the Truman Doctrine and the
Marshall Plan in an attempt to contain communism. These political and economic actions
provided military support to any country in danger of falling to communism, and funded
projects which helped rebuild war-torn Europe in countries outside of Soviet rule. As
well, the Deutschmark was recently introduced to West Berlin and West Germany as the
city was amalgamated from American, British and French rule. Such movements resulted
in the strengthening of West Germany, which undoubtedly angered Stalin as the East,
under his rule, looked lesser in comparison. In response, Stalin enacted the Berlin
Blockade in hopes that he would be able to overtake the West by creating a better image
of the East. In theory, the absence of American, French and British intervention would
cause West Berliners to suffer, and Stalins East Berlin would appear more desirable by
default.

iii.

How was the Blockade carried out?

Immediately after the Blockade was announced, all road and rail traffic into Berlin from
the West was annulled. Furthermore, all gas and electricity to the city, along with water
access, was negated in an attempt to force the allies out. All that was allowed between the
West and Berlin were minimal air routes.

iv.

How did the West respond to the Berlin Blockade?

The Domino Theory, the fear that if one country was to fall to communism, all would
fall, kept the West from abandoning Berlin, as it was believed that the rest of Germany
would be lost as a result. The USA and Britain began to airlift supplies to West Berlin in
order to ensure the survival of its citizens. For fifteen months, a cargo plane would land
in West Berlin every two minutes, each carrying a portion of the 5,500 tonnes of supplies
which were needed each day. As well, the USA stationed B-29 bombers armed with
atomic bombs in Britain in order to ensure the Soviets would not interfere with their
supply drops.

v.

Were there any lasting effects on Germany or Berlin as a result of the Blockade?
The Berlin Blockade solidified hostile relations between the USA and Soviet Union, as it
acted as the official collapse of their wartime alliance. However, the Blockade also
positively transformed the city of Berlin. As it was formerly known as a symbol of
Prussian militarism and Nazism, the outcome of the Berlin Blockade translated into the
existence of democracy and freedom in the fight against Communism (The Berlin
Airlift, 1948-1949). Finally, the Berlin Blockade and its surrounding issues played a
hand in the formation of NATO.

Works Cited
"The Berlin Airlift, 19481949." Office of the Historian. U.S Department of State, 31 Oct.
2013. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.