The Berlin Crisis: 1948-49

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The Berlin Crisis: 1948-49:

Germany, and Berlin, had been divided in 1945 into 4 zones of occupation. This was a source of tension which peaked during the Berlin Crisis

Causes of the Berlin Crisis/Berlin Blockade:

Britain and the US wanted Germany to recover- they couldn't afford to keep supporting it and felt that punishing it wouldn't help further peace, France was less sure

USSR did not want to rebuild Germany and Stalin was suspicious as to why Britain and USA did

March 1948- Britain, France and the US had merged their three zones of West Germany into one zone

Britain, France and USA then introduced a new currency (Deutsche Mark) to western Germany, which was intended to help it become economically stronger

West Germany began to prosper unlike East Germany which was controlled by the USSR, where there was widespread poverty and hunger

Capitalism was drawing many people away from the communist East, towards greater opportunities and freedoms

As a result:

Stalin felt threatened by Germany's growing strength

Stalin was angry that the West had not consulted him before making changes in their zones of Germany

Stalin wanted the 'cancer' of West Berlin to be removed from East Germany

What happened?

June 1948- Stalin cut off all road, rail and canal links to West Berlin- the Berlin Blockade

The city only had 6 weeks of supplies of food and fuel

Stalin aimed to starve the 2 million inhabitants in West Berlin into submission

He believed that Truman would either have to go to war or give up West Berlin

However the West responded with a massive airlift- food, fuel and supplies were flown into Berlin for 10 months

Stalin didn't dare to shoot down any planes because it would be an act of war - only the USA had the Atomic Bomb at this point

Stalin called off the blockade in May 1949

Outcomes:

A propaganda victory for the West- Truman had shown he would not allow the policy of containment to fail

Stalin was humiliated- The USSR had failed to extend its influence

The division of Germany into two separate states- in May 1949, the new Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was set up

In October the Eastern zone became the German Democratic Republic (communist East Germany)

The formation of NATO

Deepened opposition between the East and West