1. The Berlin Blockade

2. Before the Blockade
Potsdam Conference political and economic policy for Germany. Germany was divided into 4 zones and was to be governed by the Allied Control Council (France, UK, USA and USSR). Germany was to be totally “occupied, denazified, demilitarised and deindustrialised”.
Berlin, the capital of Germany, was located in the Soviet zone.
1947 Truman Doctrine: protect free people from the subjugation …
1947 Marshall Plan: US aid package
1947 Comecon: the Soviet reaction to the Marshall Plan

3. Contributing factors
London Conference February 1948: The Western powers sought to introduce a single economic unit, a means to facilitate integration into West European life.
Soviets opposed this move and thus withdrew in March 1948
June 1948 a new currency was introduced and as a result the Soviets blocked all access (land and water) to West Berlin. It was never put in writing, however, the West was to have 1 road , 1 rail and two air corridors into Berlin.

4. Reaction The United States begins to airlift goods to Berlin.
A very costly commitment
Under the leadership of General Curtis LeMay, ten-ton capacity C-54s began supplying the city on July 1. "Operation Vittles «  and often referred to as "LeMay's feed and coal company ," was bringing in an average of 5,000 tons of supplies a day by the fall of 1948.
The Blockade ends in 1949 with the Soviets lifting the blockade as they see the US not giving up.
As a result, the Federal Republic of West Germany and the Democratic Republic of East Germany is created.

5. Significance First Cold War Conflict
Differing views as to how to deal with Germany
Truman’s popularity was at a low- this would boost it.
Germany is officially divided
NATO created shortly after as fear of communist build-up.
Warsaw Pact

6. Readings
Pages 46-47
Letters (the blue sections) on pages 49, 50, 51,52,54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 & 60.
What are the positions of the two sides? How did they rationalise their positions and their actions?

7. Activity
Look at the table found on page 62 and illustrate what life was like during the Blockade for the people of the Western and Eastern sectors. (Individually)
Debate : The Truman Doctrine was fundamentally misguided: it was bound to cause more problems than it solved. (Group)
General Clay believed that « the future of democracy » required the Western Allies to stay in Germany despite Soviet pressure. Do you agree or disagree? Justify. (group)
Imagine that you are a student in an east German classroom, what might have you been taught about the blockade? How might this differ from the information given to a West German student. Use a Venn diagram to present your information.