The Berlin Airlift
History: KS3, topic 20.1.10
The Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift from June 1948 to May 1949 was the response of the Western powers to the USSR's blockade of Berlin.
The airlift
- The Western powers responded to the blockade of Berlin by the USSR with an airlift.
- From 26 June 1948 to 12 May 1949, supplies were flown each day into Berlin.
The Rosinenbomber
- The pilots became known as the “Rosinenbomber” (raisin bombers) because of the confectionary (sweets) they dropped from the sky.
- A new airport, Tegel, was built to serve the operation.
USA vs USSR
- The airlift was a show of peaceful strength from the USA.
- It made the USA appear generous compared to the Soviets.
- Stalin was discredited because his action had failed and the West had shown its determination to support their German zones.
New states
- The events led to the formation of a new state in September 1949:
- The Federal Republic of Germany in West Germany.
- Bonn became the capital.
- West Berlin stayed under the control of the allied powers (France, Britain and the USA).
- One month later, the Soviets formed the German Democratic Republic, a Soviet satellite state in the east.
Test yourself on The Berlin Airlift
When did the Berlin Airlift take place?
What was the name of the new airport that was built to help with the Berlin Airlift?