The Berlin Crisis
History: KS3, topic 20.1.9
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on The Berlin Crisis
Who controlled East Germany?
What happened in June 1948?