Berlin Crisis
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 4.3.4
The Berlin Crisis
After World War 2, Germany and Berlin was split into 4 different zones. These zones would harden over time into the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).
Agreements at the Potsdam Conference
- At Potsdam (July 1945), the Allies agreed that the country of Germany, as well as its capital city Berlin, would be divided into four zones of occupation.
- One would be run by each of the USA, Britain, France and the USSR.
- The USA wanted a united, capitalist Germany.
- The Soviet Union wanted a demilitarised Germany that would not threaten the USSR, which they could bring into their sphere of influence.
- This would make sure that Germany could not attack the Soviet Union again.
Joining the zones
- On the 6th of September 1946 AD, The US Secretary of State James Byrnes said 'the US has formally announced its intention to unify the economy of its zone with any or all other zones'.
- On the 1st of January 1947 AD, the USA and Britain joined their German zones. This created a new quasi-country called 'Bizonia'.
- In April 1949 AD, the French part of Germany joined Bizonia to make 'Trizonia'.
Tensions around Trizonia
- Trizonia began to get funding under the Marshall Plan (and West Germany would receive $1.45bn in funding from the Americans).
- Stalin and the Soviets thought that the creation of Trizonia broke the agreements made about the end of the war at Yalta and Potsdam.
- This is because it ran counter to the idea of a unified German economy that the Soviets could extract reparations from.
Further tensions in Berlin - economy and food
- After the creation of Trizonia, West Berlin was controlled by France, Britain and the USA.
- Berlin was positioned in the Eastern part of Germany, which was controlled by the Soviet Union.
- Thus, Berlin was very reliant on Soviet-controlled Germany for food and other vital resources.
Further tensions in Berlin - economy and food (2)
- On the 20th of June 1948, Bizonia introduced a new currency called the 'Deutschmark' in Operation 'Bird Dog'.
- Businesses could get Deutschmarks for Rentenmarks at a 1:1 exchange rate, but savers would get 1 Deutschmark for 15 Rentenmarks.
- West Berlin was also becoming wealthier and more prosperous as it began to receive money from the Americans under the Marshall Plan.
The Berlin Crisis (The Berlin Blockade and Airlift)
The Berlin Blockade was the Soviet Union's blockade of all land access to West Berlin, cutting off millions from food and fuel. The Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift to supply the city.
The Berlin Blockade - June 1948
- 8 days after the introduction of the Deutschmark, the USSR shut down all transport links into West Berlin.
- West Berlin was now isolated from Trizonia → no food or supplies from Trizonia could reach West Berlin.
The Berlin Blockade - June 1948 (2)
- The Western powers did not want to look weak and also wanted West Germany to be a strong economic force against communism.
- However, attacking or breaking down the Soviet military blockades of roads and railway lines could cause a war between the Soviet Union & Trizonia allies.
The Berlin Airlift - June 1948 - May 1949
- The Western allies, led by the USA, decided that an airlift would be the best solution.
- It was peaceful, did not cause a war with the Soviet Union, but kept control of West Berlin.
The Berlin Airlift - June 1948 - May 1949 (2)
- On the 26th of June 1948 until the 12th of May 1949, the Americans flew supplies into West Berlin.
- The pilots flying in the supplies were often called “Rosinenbombers” (raisin bombers) because they dropped confectionery, sweets, and other food from the skies.
- A new airport, Tegel, was built in West Berlin to help the Airlift run more efficiently.
Consequences of the airlift
- The airlift was a peaceful show of strength from America, as they mounted a huge operation to give West Berlin supplies.
- The Soviets looked mean and self-interested, having shut down rail and road links into West Berlin for clearly political reasons.
- The operation was also a humiliating failure for the Soviet Union and Stalin, as they planned to cut off West Berlin until it was forced to surrender to Soviet control.
Consequences of the airlift (2)
- The divisions between East and West hardened as a result of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift.
- On the 23rd of May 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany in West Germany was created, with Bonn as its capital.
- On the 7th October 1949, the Soviet Union would create the German Democratic Republic, a Soviet satellite state within Germany.
Test yourself on Berlin Crisis
What was agreed at the Potsdam Conference in 1945 about Germany and Berlin?
Why did Stalin oppose the creation of Trizonia?
What were the consequences of the Berlin Crisis?
The Berlin Blockade and Airlift