The Berlin Airlift is one of significant Cold War episodes, and its role should be underlined. It happened between June 1948 and May 1949 and it was a conflict between the Western allies and the Soviet Union. Now let’s try to realize why the Berlin Airlift was so important to the Cold War.

The Antecedents of the Cold War

Let’s begin then by understanding a little bit of background on the Cold War before delving into the Berlin Airlift. The Cold War: So it’s a conflict between the two countries, whereby the USA and USSR were major forces in the globe which had a political and military confrontation. This period stretched from the late 1947 to early 1990. The two superpowers were not in any direct military confrontation with each other They were in a stiff rivalry.

The Division of Germany

The post second world war Germany was split into four occupied zones with Soviet zone in the east and American, British and French zones in the west. Like other major cities, Berlin was also divided into four zones; the eastern part of Berlin was under the ownership of Soviet. The division of Berlin closely led to tensions between the Soviet Union, on one side and the Western alliance on the other.

The Blockade of Berlin

In early 1948, the Soviets turned into a groin and closed all the roads and waterways to west Berlin with an intention to denying access of west to its sectors. It was to remove the Allies from Berlin and bring the city back under the Soviet fold.

Air Transport as a Lifeline

Nevertheless, all ground links being severed, the Western allies were now using air lifts to get supplies to their sectors in Berlin. This led to the emergence of the Berlin Airlift otherwise nicknamed as Operation Vittles. It is considered as one of the biggest logistical challenges ever in the city supply of edibles, energy supplies and other materials to West Berlin.

The Scale of the Operation

BERLIN AIRLIFT was a massive operation of supplying all kinds of products into West Berlin. Airlift planes flew approximately 200,000 times providing more than 2.3 million tonnes of supplies in approximately one year. The western allies were very well choreographed to ensure that the operation was healthy and in check.

Significance to the Cold War

The Berlin Airlift was a critical event that held immense importance for both sides in the Cold War:

Show of Western Resolve

The Western allies stood so firm and resolved in ensuring they provided support to West Berlin as a result of Soviet blockage as a sign that democracy and freedom would be defended by all prerices against the Soviets. It made up into symbol of western power in mououting communism expansion.

Soviet Failure

The Soviet blockade eventually did not accomplish its intended objectives. As much as the Soviets wanted to shut out the western Allies from supplying West Berlin, they could not do so. The success of the airlift was a morale booster to the Western powers and a set back to the Soviet Union fame.

Creation of West Germany

The developed of the Berlin blockade paved way to the formation of Federal Republic of Germany also referred to as West Germany. This not only further unpopular in Germany but also definitely strengthened the rift between the West and the East in the cold war.

Legacy of the Berlin Airlift

The Berlin Airlift left a lasting impact on the course of the Cold War:

The airlift also served to remind the countries of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, that it was a collective defense against Soviet tried aggression.

Different means were shown during the event that arose division of Germany and Berlin and set the stage for the further conflicts and tensions between East and West.

Air transport particularly in the form of airline, which was so instrumental during the airlift, remained important during cold war period up to 1990.

Conclusion

The Berlin Airlift has a great signification within the context of Cold War. Western determination was demonstrated, giving the Soviets their first defeat, and the division of Germany was made permanent. The successful airlift is, to this date, remembered as the epitome of democracy and the peoples’ of the west’s victory over communism aggression.