Introduction
During the formative years of the Cold War the Berlin Airlift proved essential. Between 1948 and 1949 Soviet forces blocked essential supplies into West Berlin which remained an occupied zone of the split city. When Russia stopped west Berlin supply routes the US-led allies made hundreds of flights to get food and goods into the city. This piece explains why the Berlin Airlift shaped the main forces at work during the Cold War.
We Begin with a Look into the Origins of the Cold War
After World War II ended the United States and the Soviet Union entered into an intense power struggle known as the Cold War. The Soviet Union wanted to control everything and the United States wanted to respect people’s personal freedoms.
The Berlin Blockade
In Summer 1948 the Soviet Union started an effort by stopping all land and maritime access routes to West Berlin. Soviet efforts were designed to either coax U.S. British and French forces out of Berlin or make those forces yield control to Soviet rule. Despite the blockade the Soviet Union set up the people of West Berlin faced complete supply cuts which affected their daily access to food, medicine, and vehicle fuel.
The Soviets did not understand how strongly the West Allies would fight back. Instead of retreating, they responded with a unique and audacious plan to ensure the survival of West Berlin: the Berlin Airlift.
The Berlin Airlift Strategy
Flying aircraft transported supply goods constantly from Allied sources to West Berlin. The British and US military bases in West Germany delivered supplies through flights that crossed Soviet airspace to touch down in West Berlin airport stations.
During its busiest time West Berlin received planes landing every few minutes as they delivered important supplies consisting of food items and other essential materials. Effective transportation of supplies needed precise team collaboration to reach the desired end result.
The Berlin Airlift Program Ended in Victory
The Berlin Airlift delivered its goals beyond expectations. During the year-long blockade Western nations flew supply planes that delivered more than 2.3 million tons of goods to protect West Berlin from starvation.
Through the Berlin Airlift action the United States showed its resolve to defend its causes and help its partners as proof against communist systems. The operation showed Western economies work better by delivering wealth and providing essential supplies to its citizens.
How the Operation Changed Cold War Balance of Power
During the Berlin Airlift period our nation’s actions had important long-term consequences for the Cold War conflict. This event permanently divided communities between East and West. Two parts of Berlin came to stand for opposing political views between East and West because of clear control differences between communist and democratic nations.
After the airlift the Soviet Union proved unable to stop Western influence from entering Berlin and keep it completely under its own control. The Soviet Union took substantial damage to their reputation as the blockade failed to block Western access to the city.
After achieving this milestone the Berlin Airlift demonstrated the United States’ and its allies’ superiority over Soviet control. The Airlift showed Western democracy works better than communism and strengthened belief that the two could be defended against each other.
Conclusion
During the Cold War the Berlin Airlift demonstrated its crucial importance. Through its deliveries of supplies the Berlin Airlift helped keep West Berliners alive while influencing the course of the Cold War. During the Berlin Airlift Western forces used deliveries to demonstrate how their democratic methods defeated Soviet tactics and made East and West Berlin permanent separations.