Berlin Airlift and The Vital Center (Truman) Nicolas Perry, Gretchen West

Berlin Airlift Germany and Berlin was divided into 4 districts. Each controlled by one of the Allies. The Soviets controlled the Eastern part of the divisions and the U.K, U.S, and France controlled the Western parts.

Berlin Airlift The United States enacted the Marshall Plan to provide resources to the destroyed land and economies of Europe. The U.S.S.R refused aid from the U.S because they feared American influence. After the Allies joined their partitions of Berlin together, the U.S.S.R set up a blockade to prevent Allied support to Western Berlin (June 24, 1948). In response, the U.K and the U.S airlifted food and supplies into West Berlin which rendered the blockade useless. On May 12, 1949, the U.S.S.R lifted the blockade. America began to be seen as a global power of democracy, and prosperity.

The Vital Center in relation to Truman’s presidency The Vital Center: The Politics of Freedom is a book written by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. – States that we should have a democratic government with socialist/communist economic goals. Truman wanted to continue Roosevelt's New Deal Program and his Economic Bill of Rights (Second Bill of Rights) – The Economic Bill of Rights incorporated socialist economic ideals (Free Healthcare, Free housing, etc.) Truman’s Fair Deal reflected The Vital Center. – Truman’s 21 points displayed a democratic socialist society. Legislation to ensure full employment Increase government assistance in small businesses. Free Health-Care