The Causes of the Berlin Crisis, 1948 (AQA GCSE History) : Revision Note
The causes of the Berlin Crisis - Summary
After the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, the Allies decided to split Germany into four zones occupied by the USA, Britain, France and the Soviet Union. However, as tensions between the West and East increased following the end of the Second World War in August 1945, it was clear that the Allies had differing views on how to best govern Germany. Economic differences between the Capitalist West and the Communist East prompted the countries of the USA, Britain and France to join their zones together to create Trizonia. Stalin and the Soviet Union saw this as the West’s attempts to weaken the Soviet zone in Germany. This was made worse by the creation of a new currency called the Deutschmark that all but split Germany in two. As a result, the Soviet Union shut off the land routes in Soviet-controlled Germany, preventing Trizonia from accessing their zone in Berlin. This became known as the Berlin Crisis. |
The division of Berlin
At the Potsdam Conference, it was agreed that Germany and also Berlin would be split into four zones of occupation:
Each zone was to be controlled by the USA, Britain, France and the Soviet Union
The division was only meant to be temporary, while a new German government was created
A joint organisation called the Allied Control Commission (ACC) was in charge of the running of Germany
However, tensions between the West and East led to disagreements between the four zones on how to best treat Germany
In March 1948, the representative for the Soviet Union’s zone stormed out of a meeting held by the ACC
How did the four zones want to treat Germany?
Bizonia, 1947 and Trizonia, 1948
Germany had been split into four zones of occupation in 1945
In 1947, the USA and Britain merged their zones to create ‘Bizonia’
After the walkout of the Soviet representative in March 1948, France merged their zone with the USA and Britain to create ‘Trizonia’
In March 1948, Germany was split into two main zones:
The Western countries of the USA, Britain and France controlled the western zone
The Soviet Union controlled the eastern zone
The development of the division of Germany, 1945-1948
As with Germany, Berlin was also split into different zones:
By 1948, Trizonia controlled West Berlin and the Soviet Union controlled East Berlin
The 'Iron Curtain' separating the Capitalist West from the Communist East was now centred in Germany and Berlin
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Students get confused between Bizonia and Trizonia. The start of the word Bizonia is 'Bi' meaning two. Bizonia combined two country's territories in Germany - Britain's and the USA's. The start of the word Trizonia is 'Tri' meaning three. Trizonia is when three countries - France, the USA and Britain - combined their territories in 1948.
Soviet reaction to the creation of the Deutschmark
In June 1948, the three Western countries created a new currency for Trizonia known as the Deutschmark
This decision infuriated Stalin and further increased tensions between the West and East
How did the Deutschmark impact 'Cold War' relations?
Stalin was determined to protect the Soviet zone in Germany and ensure that it remained Communist
He planned to block Trizonia’s access to their zone in Berlin, which itself was in the heart of Soviet-occupied Germany
This became known as the Berlin Blockade
Examiner Tips and Tricks
An exam question could ask you how far you agree that the introduction of the Deutschmark was the main reason for increasing tension in Berlin by 1948.
Conclusions are usually where most of your judgement marks will be awarded. Students often rush their conclusions so they are not as developed as they could be. All great conclusions have these three elements:
Judgement – Start with your opinion. Try to include the words from the question. Consider second-order concepts like short- and long-term consequences, change and continuity and significance
Counter – Give an example from the other side of the argument to show your awareness of this
Support – Explain why, after considering all the evidence, you have reached your judgement. Use your best piece of evidence to show your opinion
For further guidance on this question, you can read this revision note on how to answer the 16-mark “How far do you agree” question.
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