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| Question | Answer |
| What was the context of the Berlin Blockade? | The 'Cold War' was underway - the Grand Alliance was 'dead' Each side was committed to a pattern of action or reaction (or both) Mistrust between the two was running high Each 'system' was underpinned by propaganda |
| Why was Germany so important as a Cold War issue? | Germany 'could not be ignored' It was a vast Central European state - industrially rich and populous. It had been at the centre of two 'world wars' The West wanted it to be democratic and economically strong again - the Soviets wanted a weak and 'neutral' state |
| What did Stalin do over Berlin to prompt a 'crisis'? | He BLOCKADED it All rail, road and canal access from the West to Berlin was 'blocked' - by Soviet forces |
| Why did Stalin 'take a risk' over Berlin? | It was deep inside the Soviet Zone of Germany So was in the USSR's 'sphere of Influence' If the Allies physically tried to go through blockades this could be seen as an 'act of war' |
| Could the Allies take any 'responsibility' for Stalin's decision to blockade Berlin? | Possibly ! - The USA, Britain and France united their zones of Germany and Berlin without consulting Stalin - and they were preparing to introduce a new currency. |
| Why did the 'West' respond to the blockade? | It was an important 'test case' If the West let the USSR have Berlin, they might see this as weakness and press for the same with the rest of Germany Doing nothing - would reflect badly on Truman and his promise to 'support free peoples' (Truman Doctrine) |
| HOw did the 'west' respond to the blockade? | with an airlift operation 'vittles' PLanes flew from bases in West Germany to West Berlin with essential supplies in lasted for 318 days |
| Why didn't Stalin try to prevent the planes from supplying West Berlin? | Shooting down planes would be an indefensible 'act of war' It would present the USSR as the 'aggressor' |
| How did the crisis end? | After 10 months - Stalin lifted the blockade - no particular reason given! Confirming the West's belief that Stalin was 'erratic' |
| Why did Berlin remain an important element of the Cold War rivalry? | To the West - with West Berlin they had a democratic foothold deep inside Soviet sphere of influence - quite embarrassing for the Soviet Union. For the Soviet Union - the Western presence was a 'cancer' within a workers paradise - it had to be resolved one way or another. |
| Was the Berlin crisis really that much of an issue? | YES - US and Soviet troops were in close proximity at all times. The blockade raised tensions - any ill-judged act might have led to direct conflict. |
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