The Berlin Crises
Berlin Crisis #1: Blockade/Airli6
(Evidence of brinkmanship)
• From 1948 to 1949
• Following the division of Germany, the Eastern Zone was struggling as they had denied the aid offered
to them via the Marshall Plan
• In the Western Zone, with the help of Marshall Plan aid, the economy was recovering and prospering
• By 1948, the differences in living standards were obvious and easily observed
• In 1948, the German Reichsmark devalued and so, the BriKsh and the US wanted to introduce the
“Deutsche Mark” to ensure recovery
• However, Stalin objected and claimed that it was against the ACC agreement for a common economic
policy - in reality, he wanted German weak
• Western powers overlooked his objecKve and secretly introduced the new currency
• Stalin responded to this by blockading West Berlin — closed roads, canals, railways and claimed his
reason was “technical difficulKes”
• It was legally within their right to do so
• West Berlin had enough food for thirty five days
• Western powers refused to abandon Western Berlin as they were convinced that if they did, it would
enable Soviet expansion
• The Western powers created in an ‘air bridge’ from which the Western zones would be supplied with
food, fuel, building materials and medical supplies
• 1949: Stalin ended blockade and the land communicaKons were restored
• Truman viewed this as a victory as it apparently humiliated Stalin
Outcome of Berlin Blockade
• Indicated an end to hope of agreement between the superpowers
• Greatly increased the rivalry
• Confirmed divisions in Germany as it became two separate states: German DemocraKc Republic (East)
and German Federal Republic (West)
• Remained this way unKl a_er the Cold War had ended
• Led to the formaKon of NATO
• Future dialogue between the two naKons became almost impossible as there was so much tension and
suspicion
Berlin Crisis #2: 1953 Berlin Uprising
• DemonstraKons in East Berlin in which people demanded:
- poliKcal and economic freedom
- a union with Germany
- an end to communism
Berlin Crisis #1: Blockade/Airli6
(Evidence of brinkmanship)
• From 1948 to 1949
• Following the division of Germany, the Eastern Zone was struggling as they had denied the aid offered
to them via the Marshall Plan
• In the Western Zone, with the help of Marshall Plan aid, the economy was recovering and prospering
• By 1948, the differences in living standards were obvious and easily observed
• In 1948, the German Reichsmark devalued and so, the BriKsh and the US wanted to introduce the
“Deutsche Mark” to ensure recovery
• However, Stalin objected and claimed that it was against the ACC agreement for a common economic
policy - in reality, he wanted German weak
• Western powers overlooked his objecKve and secretly introduced the new currency
• Stalin responded to this by blockading West Berlin — closed roads, canals, railways and claimed his
reason was “technical difficulKes”
• It was legally within their right to do so
• West Berlin had enough food for thirty five days
• Western powers refused to abandon Western Berlin as they were convinced that if they did, it would
enable Soviet expansion
• The Western powers created in an ‘air bridge’ from which the Western zones would be supplied with
food, fuel, building materials and medical supplies
• 1949: Stalin ended blockade and the land communicaKons were restored
• Truman viewed this as a victory as it apparently humiliated Stalin
Outcome of Berlin Blockade
• Indicated an end to hope of agreement between the superpowers
• Greatly increased the rivalry
• Confirmed divisions in Germany as it became two separate states: German DemocraKc Republic (East)
and German Federal Republic (West)
• Remained this way unKl a_er the Cold War had ended
• Led to the formaKon of NATO
• Future dialogue between the two naKons became almost impossible as there was so much tension and
suspicion
Berlin Crisis #2: 1953 Berlin Uprising
• DemonstraKons in East Berlin in which people demanded:
- poliKcal and economic freedom
- a union with Germany
- an end to communism
