Berlin Blockade, 1948-49

What was the Berlin Blockade?

The USSR closed all road, rail and river transport links into West Berlin. This stopped all supplies getting into the city. British, French and US troops were asked to leave.

When was the Berlin Blockade?

The Berlin Blockade started in June 1948 and ended in May 1949.

What caused the Berlin Blockade?

There were 8 key causes of the Berlin Blockade:

• ❖ The growing tension between the USA and the USSR over the future of Germany.
• ❖ The growing tension between the USA and the USSR because of their ideological differences and the start of the Cold War.
• ❖ In January 1947 the British and USA joined their zones, creating 'Bizonia'. This broke the agreements made at the Potsdam Conference.
• ❖ In December 1947, at the London Conference, Britain, France and the USA met to discuss Germany and decide Germany's new constitution. The USSR was not included.
• ❖ In March 1948, France's zone joined Bizonia to create 'Trizonia'.
• ❖ The USSR left the Allied Control Commission, accusing the West of breaking the Potsdam agreements. They were angry the London Conference had taken place.
• ❖ In April 1948, Trizonia started to receive Marshall Aid and began to rebuild.
• ❖ Britain, France and the USA introduced a new 'safe' currency, the Deutschmark, into Trizonia on 23rd June, 1948, which angered the USSR.

What were the consequences of the Berlin Blockade?

There were 3 main consequences of the Berlin Blockade:

• ❖ It prevented supplies reaching West Berlin.
• ❖ It led to the Berlin Airlift from June 1948 to May 1949, in which the Western powers used airplanes to fly supplies into West Berlin.
• ❖ The relationship between the USSR and the West deteriorated, eventually leading to the creation of NATO.

What was the significance of the Berlin Blockade?

The Berlin Blockade was significant for 2 key reasons:

• ❖ The West saw it as an act of aggression by Stalin.
• ❖ It created the first major crisis between the USA and the USSR in the Cold War.