This is the CNN Cold War Berlin Blockade comprehensive guide. The Berlin Blockade is one of the important events that took place during the Cold War and in this blog post, we will talk about the historical context, the important events, the impact of the Berlin Blockade, and a lot more interesting details that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a history buff or just interested in what ever happened, we have you covered!
1. Historical Context: Post World War II Germany and Cold War, Germany
The Berlin Blockade occurred nearly at the tail end of WWII during the forming cold war times between the USA and the Soviet Union. After the war Germany was divided up into four zones of occupation, each zone occupied by an American, British, French and a Soviet force.
These tensions turned into high tension and Berlin, Germany’s capital, was divided into four sectors as well. The former, the democratic powers’ sector and the latter, the Soviet controlled sector became soon ideological and political battlegrounds.
2. The Berlin Blockade: A Soviet Action
According to one background note, in June 1948, the Soviet Union blocked off Berlin as a response to Western plans for currency reform and the introduction of a new currency, the Deutsche Mark, in their sectors. It was the Soviet intent not to allow the West to survive, isolating western Berlin and forcing Western powers to quit controlling it. The city relied economically on supplies from the surrounding Soviet zone and the Soviet Union cut off road, rail and canal access.
2.1 The Airlift: Western Blockade Response
The Berlin Airlift was an attempt by the United States, head of the Western powers, in response to the blockade. Western cargo planes ran uninterrupted flights between the West and West Berlin, bringing supplies to its people over a near year from June 1948 to May 1949. It soon became a symbol of Western commitment to democratic principles, humanitarian values.
During the airlift daily an average of 8,000 tons of supplies arrived, including food, coal and other needs. The “Operation Vittles” — the airlift — turned out to be an astounding logistical feat, extreme determination in the face of Soviet aggression.
3. End of the Blockade: Soviet Retreat
On May 12, 1949, the Berlin Blockade finally ended, when the Soviets lifted their earlier blockade over the city. The Western Powers had proven to the people of the Western world that they would defend West Berlin’s freedom and right to self determination.
4. Impact of the Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade had profound effects on both the city of Berlin and the wider context of the Cold War:
- Political Division: It also cemented the split between communist East Germany and democratic West Germany — a split that followed the German Communists until the unification in 1990.
- NATO and Warsaw Pact: As an alliance designed to deter Soviet offensive action in NATO’s area, NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was created over the Berlin Blockade. This would also lead to the Warsaw Pact, established by the Eastern Bloc countries as a counter balance.
- German Economic Miracle: The airlift was successful and Western support helped foster an economic growth in West Germany, which produced something of a Western miracle of an economy — the “Wirtschaftswunder.” It was to play a big part in shaping the post war order.
5. Legacy and Remembrance
The Berlin Blockade is a Cold War symbol of a defiant people in Berlin when things were tough. Events of the period, and those who participated, have been commemorated with such landmarks as the Berlin Airlift Memorial.
5.1 Berlin Airlift Sites
While you’re heading off to Berlin on a trip, don’t forget to check out historical sites around Tempelhof Airport – that played a major role during the Berlin Airlift. Other useful museums to visit are the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and the Allied Museum.
Conclusion
To understand the CNN Cold War Berlin Blockade is to know the interstate conflict era and the division of Germany. Therefore, the Berlin Blockade was the beginning of the end of Soviet Union and the Western powers’ relationship as well as an indication for their ideologies as well as their commitment to smash into their spheres of influence.
We really trust with this blog post this knowledge and insight that you have about this important historical date. You’ll continue to explore the deep history of the Cold War, with more to learn and understand about this fascinating era.