Germany
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 4.4.1
Germany After the Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade led to dividing Germany and Berlin, reparations, border changes, and plans to de-Nazify, demilitarise, and democratise Germany from 1948.
The Berlin Blockade's impact
- The Berlin Blockade in 1948 stopped land access to West Berlin by the Soviet Union.
- The Western Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift to supply West Berlin.
- The blockade increased tensions and influenced Germany's division.
Dividing Berlin and Germany
- The Soviet zone became East Germany or (GDR or German Democratic Republic) in 1949.
- The Western zones combined to form West Germany (FRG or Federal Republic of Germany) in 1949.
- Berlin remained divided despite being inside East Germany's territory.
Governing postwar Germany
- The Allied Control Council managed Germany jointly until 1948.
- From 1949, West Germany governed itself as a democratic state.
- East Germany became a communist state under Soviet control.
Test yourself on Germany
What was the main consequence of the Berlin Blockade in 1948?
What happened to East Germany after 1949?