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The Berlin Blockade

The Berlin Blockade of 1948-1949 arose from increasing tensions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union over postwar Germany. Stalin cut off all supply routes by land to West Berlin in an attempt to force the Allies out of the city and make it fully dependent on the USSR. In response, the Allies launched an unprecedented airlift to supply West Berlin by aircraft, flying over 300,000 flights over 11 months until Stalin finally lifted the blockade. The success of the airlift demonstrated the Allies' commitment to West Berlin and marked a turning point in the Cold War.

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452 views1 page

The Berlin Blockade

The Berlin Blockade of 1948-1949 arose from increasing tensions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union over postwar Germany. Stalin cut off all supply routes by land to West Berlin in an attempt to force the Allies out of the city and make it fully dependent on the USSR. In response, the Allies launched an unprecedented airlift to supply West Berlin by aircraft, flying over 300,000 flights over 11 months until Stalin finally lifted the blockade. The success of the airlift demonstrated the Allies' commitment to West Berlin and marked a turning point in the Cold War.

Uploaded by

Smita Chandra
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© © All Rights Reserved
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The Berlin Blockade, 1948-1949

Germany had become a real headache for the Western


Allies. After the destruction of the war, their zones were
in economic chaos. Stalin feared a recovering Germany
and wanted to keep it crippled. But it was clear to the
Allies that Germany could not feed its people if it was not
allowed to rebuild its industries. Although they
themselves were wary of rebuilding Germany too quickly,
Britain, France and the USA combined their zones in 1946
to form one zone (which would become Western
Germany in 1949). In 1948 they reformed the currency
and within months there were signs that Germany was
recovering.
Stalin felt that the USA’s attitude was provocative. He
could do nothing about the western zones, but de felt he
could show his authority on Berlin. It was in the Soviet
zone and was linked to the West by roads, railways and
canals. In June 1948, Stalin blocked all these supply lines, Source A Germany in 1948
cutting off the population of West Berlin from Western
help. Stalin believed that this would force the Allies out of
Airlift Facts
Berlin, making it entirely dependent on the USSR. • The blockade lasted 318 days (11 months).
It was a clever plan. However, the Americans were not • In the winter of 1948–49 Berliners lived on
prepared to give up. They saw West Berlin as a test case. dried potatoes, powdered eggs and cans of
If they gave in to Stalin on this issue, West Germany meat. They had four hours of electricity a day.
would be next. Truman wanted Berlin to be a symbol of • The airlift was codenamed 'operation Vittles';
freedom behind the Iron Curtain. the first flight was on 26 June 1948.
The only way into Berlin was by air. So in June 1948 the • The Soviet authorities offered to provide West
Allies decided to air-lift supplies. Everyone feared the Berlin with essential supplies - this offer was
Soviets would shoot them down, which would have been rejected.
• 275,000 flights carried in 1½ million tons of
an act of war. People waited as the planes flew over
supplies. A plane landed every 3 mins.
Soviet territory, but nothing happened. For the next ten
• On 16 April 1949, 1400 flights brought in
months West Berlin was supplied by airplanes bringing 13,000 tons of supplies in one day – Berlin only
everything from food and clothing to oil and building needed 6,000 tons a day to survive.
materials. By May 1949 it was clear that the blockade • Some pilots dropped chocolate and sweets.
would not make the Western Allies give up Berlin, so • The airlift continued until 30 September 1949,
Stalin reopened communications. in order to build up a reserve of supplies.
• The USA stationed B-29 bombers (which could
carry an atomic bomb) in Britain.
• The American airmen were regarded as heroes

Source C
On 23 June the Soviet authorities suspended all traffic
into Berlin because of alleged technical difficulties… They
also stopped barge traffic on similar grounds. Shortly
before midnight, the Soviet authorities issued orders to…
disrupt electric power from Soviet power plants to the
Western sectors. Shortage of coal was given as a reason
for this measure.
US Government report, June 1948.

Source B British cartoon of October 1946 shows British foreign minister and the American one trying to get
the lorry of a 'united Germany' going, while Soviet foreign minister Molotov sits smugly on his motorbike,
having stolen the wheels - 'Pity you fellows can't get your part going. I fixed mine OK', he is saying.

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