Conflict over Germany
America introduces a new currency (‘Deutsch Mark’) which was
backed by the American dollar, making it very valuable. This made
the Eastern Bloc look weak.
Situation in Germany:
Berlin divided into 4 sections
Berlin was full of tension
Soviets wanted a weak Germany so that they could dominate
Allied control wasn’t working
BERLIN BLOCKADE
Stalin blocked all major rail and canal links.
Stalin cut electricity supplies to factories and offices in Western
Berlin.
It was predicted that Berlin had 30-40 days supply of coal and
food left.
What was Stalin hoping to achieve?
Stalin wanted domination of Germany. He wanted to force Western
Allies to change policies.
How did the West respond?
Western Allies put a counter blockade in place.
They used British planes to airlift supplies into Western Berlin
(could hold 2000 tonnes of supplies).
They were able to do this for as long as they needed to.
*The airlift stopped in June 1949.
America introduces a new currency (‘Deutsch Mark’) which was
backed by the American dollar, making it very valuable. This made
the Eastern Bloc look weak.
Situation in Germany:
Berlin divided into 4 sections
Berlin was full of tension
Soviets wanted a weak Germany so that they could dominate
Allied control wasn’t working
BERLIN BLOCKADE
Stalin blocked all major rail and canal links.
Stalin cut electricity supplies to factories and offices in Western
Berlin.
It was predicted that Berlin had 30-40 days supply of coal and
food left.
What was Stalin hoping to achieve?
Stalin wanted domination of Germany. He wanted to force Western
Allies to change policies.
How did the West respond?
Western Allies put a counter blockade in place.
They used British planes to airlift supplies into Western Berlin
(could hold 2000 tonnes of supplies).
They were able to do this for as long as they needed to.
*The airlift stopped in June 1949.
