15/08/2023 Title: Was the Berlin Blockade the first

major conflict point in the Cold War?

Objectives
Understand why Stalin
established the Berlin Blockade
Explain how the USA broke
that blockade
Examine the impact of the
blockade on superpower
relations

Keywords
 Cominform
Look at these words. Do you recognise any of them ?  Trizonia
What can you learn about the lesson from these ?  Bizonia
 Deutschmark
 Starter:
Explain two effects of the Truman Doctrine on superpower relations. (8 marks)
 Bizonia
• By 1947, the British and
American zones were
operating as one
• US & Britain agree to unite
their zones – creating
Bizonia

Trizo
• March 1948: western

n
powers decided to unite

ia
their zones- Trizonia
• June 1948: they introduced
a new currency into
‘Trizonia’ (included western
Berlin)
– Deutschmark
 Tensions over Berlin
• American Aid: The
Russians did not want
Marshall Aid coming into
Berlin
– they wanted Germany to be
weak
– Refuse M.A. through
Cominform
• New Currency:
America, Britain and
France announced that
they wanted to create the
new country of “West
Germany”.
– The Deutsche Mark became the
official currency for Trizonia
 Tensions over Berlin
In October 1946 the first elections in Berlin were held and the soviet backed Socialist party
the SED (a front for the Communist party), gained less than a fifth of the vote. This was
a humiliation for Stalin, the Soviet Union had tried and failed to manipulate the outcome of
the election and the knowledge that an electoral takeover in Berlin was impossible led to
greater hostility from the soviet occupation forces towards the western allies. The soviet
authorities began to make access to Berlin for the western allies more and more difficult.

By 1948 the western zones of Germany were beginning to economically recover and a new
found confidence in the German currency was one of the main factors in this return to
prosperity. In the Russian zone, the soviets had deliberately over printed German bank
notes, to finance the occupation of eastern Germany, but it resulted in inflation. This, in
Stalin’s eyes, was also desirable, as it would destroy what little savings the German
bourgeoisie and other ‘class enemies’ had left. German farmers and traders lost all
confidence in paper money and instead bartered food and goods or hoarded what few items
of value they had. The creation of a new currency with a fixed value was essential to kick
start the economic recovery. The new Deutsche Mark was exchanged for the inflated
Reichsmark at a rate of one DM for every ten RM, but the currency reform did not happen in
the soviet zone. The western allies suspected that the Russians would simply over print again
and wreck the entire operation. The soviets responded to this by cutting off all rail and road
links to Berlin on 25 June 1948.
 The Berlin Blockade (1948-49)

• The Soviets stopped all

road, rail and canal
access to Berlin.
• Stalin said he was
defending the east
German economy against
the new currency, which
was ruining it.  
• The western powers said
he was trying to force
them out of Berlin.
 Truman’s Response: The Berlin Airlift

• Truman could not force his

way through with tanks
– This would be an act of
aggression
• Allied planes transported
supplies to West Berlin
- a plane landed every 3 mins.
• By 16 April 1949;
– 1400 flights brought in 13,000
tons of supplies in one day
– Berlin only needed 6,000 tons
a day to survive.
• September 1949 Stalin ended
the blockade
– The airlift lasted 319 days!
 The aftermath of the Berlin Blockade

• The asymmetry of Germany and Berlin would remain a source of tension

in Europe for the duration of the Cold War.
• In April 1949 the USA, Britain and France officially announced the
formation of the German Federal Republic (West Germany).
• Elections in the German Federal Republic in August 1949 resulted in
victory for the anti-communist politician, Konrad Adenauer, and the
Christian Democratic Union.
• Stalin reacted by creating the German Democratic Republic in October
1949- only the communist bloc recognized it as a nation.
• The formation of NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) – an
alliance of countries around the North Atlantic for their mutual defense.
• Stalin responded to the formation of NATO with the Warsaw Pact –
similarly an alliance of the communist countries of Eastern Europe for
their mutual defense.
• Finally, on 29 August 1949, the USSR exploded its first atomic bomb.
The USA no longer had a monopoly on nuclear weapons.
The Blockade
The economic rejuvenation of the western zones and the success of
currency reform presented Stalin with the pretext to act against the
west in Berlin. However, his main goal had been to create a united
Germany that would fall into a soviet sphere of influence. The huge
sacrifices involved in the defeat of Germany meant that the possibility of
the western allies controlling any part of Germany, to Stalin, anathema.
He believed that the confrontation over Berlin would decide who,
ultimately, had been victorious in the Second World War; to lose in
Germany would render the wartime sacrifices redundant.
Long before the issue of currency reform had arisen, the soviets had
engaged in a policy of trying to ‘wear down’ the British and Americans,
through direct provocation, harassment and non-cooperation (short of
actual military conflict). Blockading Berlin, by cutting off the road and
rail links, was designed to bring the new economic miracle to an abrupt
halt within the city and to introduce the threat of starvation. However,
Stalin also hoped that the Soviet Union could provide food to the city,
thus demonstrating to Berliners that Communism could provide materially
for them. Air links to the city were kept open in order to prevent the
possibility of an allied plane being accidentally shot down, and it was this
decision that gave the British and Americans an opportunity to act.
Stalin had no idea that they might try to relieve the city from the air.
The Airlift
When it transpired that the soviets had no ability to provide food for the
soviet and western sectors of Berlin, American and British commanders
began to request food to be flown in. The first commodity to be cut off
was milk, but the Americans shipped 200 tons of powdered and condensed
milk into their sector. The allied powers were aware that the blockade
was a bid to force them out, and some western commanders in Berlin
believed it might be the start of a third world war. Lucius Clay, the
American commander in chief in Germany, believed that a climb down by
the allies in Berlin would discredit them in the eyes of the German people
and the rest of Europe and would be a huge victory for the USSR.
Initially, the allies were concerned with supplying their own garrisons, but
the relief effort was quickly extended to the civilians in the allied
sectors. The actions of the Americans and the British were a huge
propaganda victory in western Germany and the attempt to control Berlin
through starvation backfired on the soviets. Any chance of political
influence over western Germany ended with the start of the blockade.
 
The historian Tony Judt argued in his book Postwar, that Stalin was not
as enthusiastic about occupying Berlin as has been suggested. Not only
was the focus of Cold War tensions moving from Europe to Asia by 1949,
following a Communist takeover in China and plans by Kim Il Sung in North
Korea to invade the South, but Stalin saw Berlin as a means of testing
western resolve. He also thought that he could force an agreement on
the western powers to create a united, demilitarised and notionally
neutralAtGermany. In timeof
the height he the
planned to influence
operation, onand
16dominate this new
April 1949,
state.
an allied aircraft landed in Berlin every minute.
In total, 394,509 tons of foodstuffs, coal and
supplies were carried into Berlin.
Berliners received an average of 2,300 calories a
day, which was higher than the UK food rationing
 NATO

Stalin’s threat to Berlin and the communist takeover in Czechoslovakia persuaded

the Western powers that they needed a formal military alliance to protect
themselves from the Soviet Union.

April 1949, the USA, Britain, France and nine other countries joined together in
the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The members of NATO agreed
that if any member was attacked, all members of NATO would come to its
assistance.

Ernest Bevin (British foreign secretary) made a speech about British parliament-
he said that all European countries would welcome American involvement and
called on other Western European countries to connect with the USA.

Until now, the USA was not certain to get involved in the defence of
Western Europe after WWII. The Truman Doctrine said the USA would
offer assistance but creation of a formal military alliance was a major step
beyond this. NATO resulted in Americans keeping bases in Europe throughout
the Cold War- continued right up to this present day.
 What impression does the author give about the reasons for the Berlin Blockade?
You must use extract A to explain your answer. (6 marks)

Extract A
A modern historian writing about the Berlin Airlift

Special difficulties arose over Berlin, which became a

centre of Cold War conflict. The communists saw Berlin
as a capitalist base in eastern Europe. It provided an
escape route to the West for people in the East. It
was a hotbed of western spies operating in eastern
Europe. It could be used as a western base to attack
the Soviet Union’s allies. Soviet policy was to remove
the West from Berlin as soon as possible. Stalin hoped
to do this by cutting off communications between the
western zones and West Berlin.

The author gives the impression that the reason for the Berlin Blockade was_______. I know
this because the author has “ _________ “ which means that _____________. The author
also states that “_________” which gives the impression that ___________ . The author
then tells us that ________________________ which shows that _____________ .
Throughout this extract, language is used to create an impression that ______________ by
using language such as “______” and “_______ “
Key vocabulary: match the meanings with the words.

Key term   Meaning

Deutsche mark   East Germany.

The USSR's interference in

Bizonia   Eastern European elections in
order to create satellite states.
The USA and British zones joined
Salami tactics  
together.
Federal
The USA, British and French zones
Republic of  
joined together.
Germany
Democratic
Republic of   West Germany.
Germany
The policy of making a move that
Trizonia   forces the other side to respond.
This is dangerous and can escalate.
West German currency introduced
Brinkmanship  
in 1948.
Sort the cards into three groups – Causes, Immediate
reactions, Long-term consequences

Causes Immediate Long-term

reactions consequences
A. The Cold War was hotting up – the Truman Doctrine
and Czechoslovakia were recent flashpoints.
C. At the end of the war Germany and Berlin were split
into four zones – Western Allies on one side and
Soviets on the other. In January 1947 British and
Americans united their two zones to help get industry
going again.
E. The USA and the USSR realised that they were in a
competition for world domination. They began to build
up their armies and weapons.
G. The Marshall Aid plan heightened tensions. Stalin
stopped Eastern European states from applying as he
feared the USA was trying to make them dependant on
dollars.
I. In June 1948 Allies introduced a new currency in the
Western zone, which the USSR saw as a threat to
economic stability in the East.
K. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
was set up as a defensive alliance against Russia.
Later, the USSR set up the Warsaw Pact.
B. Germany was officially divided into West (Federal
Republic) and East (Democratic Republic).
D. Keen to avoid confrontation with Soviet tanks,
President Truman decided on an airlift operation to
keep West Berlin supplied.
F. In the winter of 1948–49 Berliners lived on dried
potatoes, powdered eggs and cans of meat. They had
four hours of electricity a day.
H. Berlin became a powerful symbol of cold war
divisions and a potential flashpoint for future conflict.
J. Stalin wanted to destroy Germany – Britain and the
USA wanted to rebuild Germany.
L. Over 318 days, 275,000 flights carried in one and a
half million tons of supplies. A plane landed every
three minutes. This was known as ‘Operation Vittles’.
Source analysis
1. What clues does this
Source provide about
the Berlin Airlift?
2. Use your knowledge to
identify where it is
accurate and provide a
date for its creation
• Annotate your source
sheet with your
thoughts
Was the Berlin Blockade the first major conflict point in the Cold War?

Yes No
‘The main reason for the worsening relations between the Soviet Union
and the USA in the years 1945-49 was the Berlin Crisis (1948-49).’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.
You may use the following in your answer
-The Berlin Crisis (1948-49)
-The Marshall Plan
You must also use information of your own

Expansion into Eastern Europe

Long Telegram/Iron Curtain Speech
Cominform/Comecon/NATO
 Top tips:
‘The main reason for the worsening relations between the Soviet Union and the USA in the years 1945-49 was the Berlin Crisis Mini-outline
(1948-49).’ P1- Berlin Crisis
How far do you agree? Explain your answer. P2- The Marshall Plan
You may use the following in your answer P3- War of words
-The Berlin Crisis (1948-49)
Judgement- use both factors to compare, and back up by
-The Marshall Plan
a convincing argument
You must also use information of your own (16 marks)

Brief introduction: Outline main factors

In 1945, relations between the USA and USSR were good, they had defeated Hitler and split Germany fairly into 4 zones. However, by
1949, Germany was split in two, and the superpowers were at breaking point. This was mainly due to the Berlin crisis, as it was a
triumph for the West and a humiliation for the USSR. Other contributing factors were the WOW and Marshall Plan.

The Berlin Crisis (48-49) Blockade and airlift The Marshall Plan/Truman Doctrine Dollar Imperialism

Why did it make relations worse?

Why did it make relations worse?
War of Words (Iron Curtain Speech/Long Telegram) Comecon and Cominform

Long telegram- George Kennan (He was in Moscow sending information back to the US
gov)
-Stalin wanted to see the destruction of Capitalism! This worsens relations because
Truman and the US government now feel contain communism.

Nikolai Novikov was the Soviet diplomat working in Washington. He reported back that
the USA were prepared to use massive military strength to dominate the world. America
no longer wanted to co-operate with the Soviet Union. This worsens relations because the
line of communication is now fractured, therefore Stalin is less likely to try to come to a
peaceful agreement with Truman and pursue his own aims. Why did it make relations worse?

Churchill “an iron curtain has descended across the Continent”- The west is fully united
against Communism- USA has British backup and the gap between the two different
ideologies (Capitalism and communism) has got wider. This could impact communication and
make the West suspicious of what Stalin is planning behind the ‘iron curtain’.

West- FDR
East- GDR

Why did it make relations worse?

Why did it make relations worse?

Judgement
 Top tips:
‘The main reason for the worsening relations between the Soviet Union and the USA in the years 1945-49 was the Berlin Crisis Mini-outline
(1948-49).’ P1- Berlin Crisis
How far do you agree? Explain your answer. P2- The Marshall Plan
You may use the following in your answer P3- War of words
-The Berlin Crisis (1948-49)
Judgement- use both factors to compare, and back up by
-The Marshall Plan
a convincing argument
You must also use information of your own (16 marks)

Brief introduction: Outline main factors

In 1945, relations between the USA and USSR were good, they had defeated Hitler and split Germany fairly into 4 zones. However, by
1949, Germany was split in two, and the superpowers were at breaking point. This was mainly due to the Berlin crisis, as it was a
triumph for the West and a humiliation for the USSR. Other contributing factors were the WOW and Marshall Plan.

The Berlin Crisis (48-49) Blockade and airlift The Marshall Plan/Truman Doctrine Dollar Imperialism

Why did it make relations worse?

Therefore, the BB and BA was the event that created the most tension between the
SU and USA because… the line in the sand was drawn. First act of physical aggression-
Stalin’s goal of making communism look appealing backfired, because he could not risk
shooting planes without a war. Therefore, the West triumphed in order to save a
potentially starving population from Stalin.
Why did it make relations worse?
The MP and TD angered Stalin because it was a direct attempt to ‘contain’ communism and make
the West seem more appealing because of what Stalin viewed as ‘Dollar Imperialism.’ However,
the Americans wanted to help heal Europe from WW2. Whereas Stalin saw an ulterior motive.
However, giving aid and having to fly in supplies is very different, therefore, the BB was the
most deteriorating factor.
War of Words (Iron Curtain Speech/Long Telegram) Comecon and Cominform

Why did it make relations worse?

West- FDR
Why did it make relations worse? East- GDR

Increased paranoia- Churchill’s speech “war hero”, he blamed Stalin for the hostility.
Stalin sees it as Churchill and Truman ganging up on him! Stalin will take action…

It was very evident the course of action America would take to contain communism, but
they were idle words. Whereas, the BB and BA was a direct action that could have
sparked a war if the planes were shot down.
Satellite States

Why did it make relations worse?

Judgement

It is evident that the main reason for worsening relations between USSR and USA was the BB and BA.
This was due to the fact Stalin’s reputation was ruined as it was not looked favourably that he was willing
To starve German people to take full control of Germany. This was a huge victory for the west…
WOW/MP
Recall Quiz

1. In which country was a communist government

established in Feb 1948?
2. Where did Churchill make his ‘Iron Curtain’ Speech?
3. What was the Truman Doctrine?
4. Which country received more than a quarter of the
aid given out under the Marshall Plan?
5. What did the Soviet Union set up to rival the
Marshall Plan?
6. What was Cominform?
7. What was Operation Vittles?
8. What was Trizonia?
9. When was NATO formed?
10. Who was the first demographically elected
chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany?
What was important about the Truman Doctrine?
________________________________________
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Why was Cominform set up?
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Which countries received the most aid from the Marshall What was the role of Comecon?
Plan?
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
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________________________________________
In what way was the USA’s signing of the NATO treaty Challenge your partner to see who can give a 1 minute
a change from past policy? speech about ‘How the Cold War developed, 1945-49’. As
you listen to your partner’s speech, list as many reasons
as you can.
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
RESOURCES
Key term   Meaning
Deutsche
  East Germany.
mark
The USSR's interference in Eastern European
Bizonia  
elections in order to create satellite states.

Salami tactics   The USA and British zones joined together.

Federal
Republic of   The USA, British and French zones joined together.
Germany
Democratic
Republic of   West Germany.
Germany
The policy of making a move that forces the other
Trizonia  
side to respond. This is dangerous and can escalate.

Brinkmanship   West German currency introduced in 1948.

Key term   Meaning

Deutsche
  East Germany.
mark
The USSR's interference in Eastern European
Bizonia  
elections in order to create satellite states.

Salami tactics   The USA and British zones joined together.

Federal
Republic of   The USA, British and French zones joined together.
Germany
Democratic
Republic of   West Germany.
Germany
The policy of making a move that forces the other
Trizonia  
side to respond. This is dangerous and can escalate.

Brinkmanship   West German currency introduced in 1948.

 HMWK:
• Create a comprehensive timeline illustrating all
the events from 1941-1949 on your subject
knowledge tracker.
• Each event should include:
– Day, month, year (when possible)
– An illustration
– 3 bullet pointed notes to summarise each event
– Smiley face grading as to how Anglo-Soviet relations
were at the time
 Recap:
1943-1945
How had relationships changed between
1943 and 1945?

Teheran Conference Percentages Yalta Conference Potsdam Conference Atomic Bomb 1945
1943 deal
1945 1945 Seen by USSR as a threat
Agreed on ‘spheres of 1944
Agreed to work towards Confirmed the division of Ended the war before the
influence;’ Agreed on democracy Berlin and Germany into 4 USSR could join therefore
the % of zones could not claim land
influence Suggested splitting promised to them in the
Germany and Berlin into 4 east
i.e. Greece
90/10 Russia would join the war Truman was bold, more
in the pacific after Europe likely to get in conflict with
Hungary was won the USSR Changed
50/50 advisors
 Recap:
1946-1947
How had relationships changed between
1946 and 1947?

Long Telegram Novikov’s Telegram Truman Doctrine Marshall Plan

Iron Curtain
1946 Speech 1947 1947
1946
Kennan says the 1946 Speech made to congress Geroge Marshall
USA was preparing for a
Russians are first person to war and hated suggests providing
determined to Money to be given to economic assistance
stop pretending communism Greece and Turkey to help
destroy the to be friends with to Europe would help
American way contain the spread of contain communism
Russia USA had money for a communism
of life but that war whereas Soviet
the Soviets can $17 billion lent to
Asked for economy was weak $400 million various European
be beaten and Americans to
must be countries
remain a presence
stopped. in Europe

Source C
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
Illingworth appeared in the Daily Mail
on 9 September 1948.  Stalin has
blocked the mousehole, and toys with
a mouse labelled 'Berliners', whilst the
other 'western powers' scuttle around
in alarm
ource C
his cartoon by the British cartoonist
llingworth appeared in the Daily Mail
n 9 September 1948.  Stalin has
locked the mousehole, and toys with
mouse labelled 'Berliners', whilst the
ther 'western powers' scuttle around
Source A
Britain and America tried to restore German
Source D
prosperity in their sectors, but the Russians
This cartoon of 14 July 1948
systematically looted their zone. This Low cartoon
by EH Shepard for the
of October 1946 shows Bevin (British foreign
British magazine Punch
minister) and Byrnes (America) trying to get the
shows Stalin watching as
lorry of a 'united Germany' going, while the Russian
storks fly coal and food into
foreign minister Molotov sits smugly on his
Berlin.
motorbike, having stolen the wheels - 'Pity you
fellows can't get your part going. I fixed mine OK',
Source A
Britain and America tried to restore German
Source D
prosperity in their sectors, but the Russians
This cartoon of 14 July 1948
systematically looted their zone. This Low cartoon
by EH Shepard for the
of October 1946 shows Bevin (British foreign
British magazine Punch
minister) and Byrnes (America) trying to get the
shows Stalin watching as
lorry of a 'united Germany' going, while the Russian
storks fly coal and food into
foreign minister Molotov sits smugly on his
Berlin.
motorbike, having stolen the wheels - 'Pity you
fellows can't get your part going. I fixed mine OK',