During Cold War years 1948 through 1949 the Berlin Blockade Airlift Quizlet represented a major world event. Through joint military action the United States, United Kingdom, and France delivered food fuel and supplies to isolated West Berlin against Soviet Union restrictions.
Historical Context of the Berlin Blockade
After World War II the four victorious countries controlled German territories as joint occupation zones. Though surrounded by Soviet administration Berlin still existed as four separate areas following military occupation patterns. Soviet Union tensions with Western Allies increased until they established the Berlin Blockade.
During the Berlin Blockade Soviet Forces Initiated This Action
The USSR began its blockade when West Germany installed new currency reforms that extended its system to West Berlin. To maintain their economic control the Soviets cut off all road and river connections which trapped West Berlin inside isolation from crucial supplies.
The Allied Response
To support West Berliners the Western Allies launched the Berlin Airlift to supply food through flights above the Soviet blockade. During the 468-day event flights delivered 280,000 times with total supplies reaching 2.3 million tons of coal, food, medicine, and other necessities from June 1948 to May 1949.
The Berlin Blockade Airlift Showed Why Western Allies Opposed Soviet Aggression
During the Cold War period the Berlin Blockade Airlift represented its most important historical moment. The Western Allies showed their determination to defend West Berlin’s freedom by blocking Soviet aggression. Through their successful airlift operations the Western Allies made the Soviets lift their blockade of Berlin in May 1949.
The Impact on the Cold War
Through the Berlin Blockade Airlift the West Allies and Soviets faced important changes that impacted their Cold War actions. The situation brought permanent separation between East and West Germany which produced the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic.
Key Takeaways
- Across 19 months from 1948 to 1949 the Berlin Blockade Airlift took place during the Cold War era.
- After West Germany made currency reforms the Soviet Union clamped down with a blockade.
- To avoid Soviet blockades Western Allies delivered needed goods through air transportation to West Berlin.
- Through the Berlin Airlift the West showed its strong opposition to Soviet military action.
- The blockade permanently divided Germany into two countries East and West.
Conclusion
Through the Berlin Blockade Airlift Quizlet the Western Allies proved their resolve by sending supplies to help West Berliners against Soviet blockade actions. People of West Berlin continue to live because of the operation which shows how the West and East fought communism during the Cold War era.