The events of Berlin in 1948 are generally seen as the start of the Cold War. For eleven months, the US and UK delivered thousands of tonnes of resources to a blockaded city, rescuing them from starvation and Communist rule. Well, that’s the western view at least, proving again that history is written by the winners. You will research and analyse both sides. True, the Soviets did blockade West Berlin but were they responsible for the crisis? The consequent airlift is stunning in terms of logistics but was this the only solution put forward? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you read more about the Berlin Crisis, you will discover that the occupiers of western Germany and Berlin (the US, UK and France) introduced a new currency in June 1948. This was aimed at creating a new West Germany. The Soviet Union retaliated by introducing their own currency, the Ostmark, a few days later. So who is responsible for escalating the tension in Berlin? Clearly, Google’s AI blames Stalin…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n March 1948<\/strong>: The Western Allies decide to unify their occupation zones economically in Germany, leading to Soviet withdrawal from the Allied Control Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n March 25-April 1, 1948<\/strong>: Soviets begin restricting Western military and passenger traffic between West Germany zones and Berlin, searching trains and trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 2, 1948<\/strong>: General Lucius D. Clay halts all military train traffic to Berlin and begins supplying military forces by air (“Little Lift”).<\/p>\n\n\n\n June 19-29, 1948<\/strong>: Soviets block all land, rail, and water routes from Western zones to Berlin. The three western allies introduce the Deutsche Mark for the areas they occupied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n June 24, 1948<\/strong>: Soviet forces officially impose total blockade of West Berlin, severing all ground access. A few days earlier, they introduced their own currency for all of Berlin, the Ostmark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June 26, 1948<\/strong>: The US and Britain launch the Berlin Airlift to supply West Berlin by air with food, fuel, and essentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-July 1948<\/strong>: Soviet troop presence in East Germany increases, Western strategic bombers are reinforced in Britain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout 1948-1949<\/strong>: The airlift continues continuously, delivering millions of tons of supplies; Soviets attempt harassment but do not break air corridors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May 12, 1949<\/strong>: After nearly 11 months, Stalin lifts the blockade as the airlift successfully sustains West Berlin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Post-crisis 1949<\/strong>: Germany remains divided; Western zones form West Germany and Soviet zone becomes East Germany; Berlin remains divided, entrenched front line of Cold War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perplexity.ai<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flashpoint Berlin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stg.igbis.edu.my\/the-past-changes-a-little-every-time-we-retell-it\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-31-at-2.51.39\u202fPM-1024x268.png\")
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