Stalins desire to get the western allies out of
west Berlin and get control of the whole city.
He cut off all transport links (road, rail, canal)
between the west and Berlin to stop supplies
West Berlin was determined to not give into Stalin, very
few accepted his offer of more rations for moving to the
east, many crowds gathered to ask the west for help
Truman had a dilema, if he did nothing his
containment promise would look weak, if he sent
troops he could start war
the blockade was a challenge and Stalin
was taking a risk, he could know what
Truman would do risking war
it also tested the Truman Doctrine and whether he would back his words
with actions, Stalin through he wouldn't do this over Berlin