19.1.9

The Berlin Crisis

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The Berlin Crisis

At Potsdam (July 1945), the Allies agreed that Germany, and Berlin within, would be divided into four zones of occupation. The USA, Britain and France controlled their zones together.

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West Berlin

  • West Berlin was controlled by the USA, Britain and France.
  • It became an island in the middle of the Soviet-controlled Eastern zone.
  • East Germany (controlled by the USSR) grew almost everything eaten in West Berlin.
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New currency

  • In June 1948, a new currency was introduced in West Germany: the Deutsche Mark.
  • Lots of people in the Soviet Zone of Berlin tried to get hold of the new currency.
  • The Marshall Plan's money had also made West Berlin very prosperous relative to East Berlin.
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The Berlin Blockade, June 1948

  • In June 1948, the USSR closed all transport links into West Berlin.
    • British, French and US troops were forced to leave the city.
    • This blocked all supplies into Berlin.
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The response

  • The Western powers did not want to look weak by pulling out of Berlin, which could not survive without supplies.
  • They also did not want to create a major incident by breaking through the road and rail links.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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