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THE BERLIN BLOCKADE AND AIRLIFT

THE BERLIN BLOCKADE AND AIRLIFT. June 1948- May 1949. The background to the crisis. 1948: USA, Britain, France join their 3 zones together Allies were planning to introduce new currency to aid recovery in their sector, including West Berlin

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THE BERLIN BLOCKADE AND AIRLIFT

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  1. THE BERLIN BLOCKADE AND AIRLIFT June 1948- May 1949

  2. The background to the crisis • 1948: USA, Britain, France join their 3 zones together • Allies were planning to introduce new currency to aid recovery in their sector, including West Berlin • Stalin did not want a prosperous Germany  saw it as a threat to the Soviet Union • On the 24th June 1948 he closed all roads, canals and railways between the West of Germany and West Berlin – effectively cutting off West Berlin.

  3. The background to the crisis • Only the air corridors remained open for the allies to fly in supplies to the people of West Berlin • A tense cold war crisis had begun……

  4. Task: A diary of the blockade You are a 16 year old, living in West Berlin in 1948. Write a diary entry for 24th June 1948: In this entry you should describe your feelings as you hear that your city has been cut off from the West. Why do you think Stalin has done this? Where are you going to get supplies of food and fuel from? What are your fears for the future if no-one intervenes to help West Berliners?

  5. Entry 2: 26th December 1948 The blockade has been in force for over 6 months, how have the people of West Berlin survived? Describe the heroic exploits of the US and British pilots keeping the people fed and supplied during this time. How much longer can this go on for? How did you celebrate Christmas day? Explain your thoughts as you hear that one of your close friends has decided to go the East, enticed by the promise of extra rations. What do you think life will be like over there?

  6. Entry 3: 5th May 1949 You have just heard that Stalin has called off the blockade! Why do you think he has been forced to back down? Why do you feel that this has been a victory for the West? What was the human cost of keeping you alive over the past months?

  7. THE DIVISION OF GERMANY • 3 weeks later, on the 23rd May 1949 the three Western zones including West Berlin became known as the Federal Republic of Germany (WEST GERMANY) • A few months later, on the 5th October the Soviet zone was renamed the German Democratic Republic (EAST GERMANY) • ….the division of Germany had become permanent. It would take until 1989 for the two Germanys to reunite.

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