April 1948-May 1949
A failed attempt by Stalin to push the Allies out of Berlin. It marked the turning point in the Cold War as Stalin made it clear he would not cooperate. Germany was officially cut in half.
Berliners Watching a C-54 Land At Berlin Tempelhof Airport. Photo by the United States Air Force (1948)
Background
After World War II the Allies agreed they would work together to help Germany recover. An Allied Control Council was formed. Berlin was divided into four sectors that were meant to be one economic zone. As time passed Stalin started bringing excuses why not to cooperate and the western allies introduced their own currency to prevent inflation.
The new deutsche mark was the formal reason why Soviet Union closed all roads and cut the power off from the western zones of Berlin.
Berlin Blockade
The blockade began in April 1948. Instead of withdrawing nor attacking, the Allies used airlift to provide their sector with goods. The once temporary measurement remained permanent till the very end. The Allied aircrafts transported up to 4,000 tons of goods a day. That was successfully combined with an economic embargo to Soviet Union.
After 321 days Stalin realized his blockade had failed completely and he ended it. Germany was split into two separate states with different governments and currencies.
Berlin Blockade
April 1948-May 1949
A failed attempt by Stalin to push the Allies out of Berlin. It marked the turning point in the Cold War as Stalin made it clear he would not cooperate. Germany was officially cut in half.
Berliners Watching a C-54 Land At Berlin Tempelhof Airport. Photo by the United States Air Force (1948)
Background
After World War II the Allies agreed they would work together to help Germany recover. An Allied Control Council was formed. Berlin was divided into four sectors that were meant to be one economic zone. As time passed Stalin started bringing excuses why not to cooperate and the western allies introduced their own currency to prevent inflation.
The new deutsche mark was the formal reason why Soviet Union closed all roads and cut the power off from the western zones of Berlin.
Berlin Blockade
The blockade began in April 1948. Instead of withdrawing nor attacking, the Allies used airlift to provide their sector with goods. The once temporary measurement remained permanent till the very end. The Allied aircrafts transported up to 4,000 tons of goods a day. That was successfully combined with an economic embargo to Soviet Union.
After 321 days Stalin realized his blockade had failed completely and he ended it. Germany was split into two separate states with different governments and currencies.
Khrushchev's Thaw