Soviet Trial in a historical perspective the very first and one of the most significant events in the early years of the cold war was the Berlin Blockade and Airlift which occurred in 1948 to 1949. It was the conflict between the Soviet Union and its Allied forces in the post – World War two, that included the United States, United Kingdom and France regarding the administration of Post-war Berlin. In this blog post, the author will look at the background, the occurrence, and the consequences of considering this event in world history.

Background

After the Second World War Germany was split into four zones occupied by the allied powers. Soviet Union administration was in the east of Germany and they occupied the soviet Berlin. Relations with the Western Allies deteriorated and in order to divide the control over Berlin into Eastern and Western zones.

The Blockade

During June of 1948, matters became worse when the Soviet Union closed the road, rail and canal links which supplied west Berlin. The purpose was to compel the Western Allies in the post war out of west Berlin or to accede to Soviet requirements. This put the people of West Berlin at risk of suffering necessities that include food, fuel, and even medicine and this situation escalated.

The Western Allies’ Response

The Western Allies had no alternative but to make some decisions in light of the blockade. They had it in their power to force open the blockade, at the probable cost of starting possibly the most destructive war in history, with the Soviet Union. They chose the latter.

The Western Allies began to drop supplies by air in an audacious attempt to resuppy West Berlin. The concerned effort comprised thousands of flights thereby transporting tons comprising of food, coal, amongst others. It was a big operation and could only have happened if a number of countries worked in sync.

The Airlift

The airlift operation also called Berlin Airlift started in June 1948 and lasted for almost one year. Tempelhof Airport became a main entrance point for the Western Allies as that was the first airport.” From the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and other countries, several aircraft carried out this airlift during the day and at night.

The Efforts and Achievements

Airlift pilots and crew members who participated in the exercise did all they could to assist in the completion of mission required. They encountered many problems such as being forced to deal with a rough weather, their exhaustion and the constant danger of soviets’ intervention.

The airlift was highly effective and WEST BERLIN received on an average 5,000 tons of supplies per day. This maintained the population and averted a catastrophe, humanitarian crisis more specifically. The Western Allies took a stand for the people of West Berlin, and for themselves against Soviet aggression.

The End of the Blockade

The Soviet Union realized one day that the blockade was not effective for the purpose it was intended at. The Berlin Airlift alone had proved a setback to their plans and posed a tricky problem in transportation. So by May 12, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted the blockade, and all the sea and land access were made operational.

Implications and Legacy

The Berlin Blockade and Airlift both had profound effects. There are views which shows that it emphasized on the gap of east and West in Europe in the post war world and intensified Cold war. The successful airlift was a sign of victory for the Western Allies and their strength to protect Western traditions.

This event really put concrete the divide of Germany and Berlin into two different political and ideological areas, The Soviet-controlled East Germany and the the West Germany-controlled by the Western Allies. It paved way for the construction of actual Berlin Wall that divided east and west Germany in the year 1961.

Conclusion

The Berlin Blockade and Airlift were significant events shaped a lot in history, which tells about the work of Western Allies in the face of Soviet threats. It also made a statement to the Soviet Union that the West would not sit idly by and let the East take over West Berlin and continue the spread of communism.

Today’s Berlin has signifier landmarks that are tangible reminders of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift. It is a call in the choice that countries will be prepared to make to guard their values and people.