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First teaching 2024

First exams 2026

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The Causes of the Berlin Crisis, 1948 (Edexcel GCSE History) : Revision Note

Zoe Wade

Written by: Zoe Wade

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Updated on

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?

An infographic comparing Western and Soviet aims for post-war Germany. On the left, the flags of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States appear above a blue box labeled 'Strengthen Germany.' Below are two gray boxes stating: 'Improve the economy and encourage capitalism' and 'A strong Germany could halt the spread of communism.' On the right, the Soviet flag appears above a red box labeled 'Weaken Germany.' Below are two gray boxes stating: 'Use Germany’s resources to rebuild the Soviet Union' and 'A poor Germany would be likely to stay communist.' A frayed rope labeled 'West' and 'East' runs between the two sides, symbolizing division.
An illustration showing the differing opinions about how to treat Germany between the East and the West

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

A timeline graphic showing the division of Germany into occupation zones from 1945 to 1948. On the left (1945), Germany is divided into four zones controlled by the UK (green), USSR (red), USA (orange), and France (blue). In the middle (1947), the US and UK zones are merged into 'Bizonia,' shown in green. On the right (1948), the French zone joins, forming 'Trizonia,' shown in blue. The Soviet zone remains separate in red throughout. Arrows across the timeline highlight the progression from four zones to a unified Western zone.
Maps showing the creation of 'Bizonia' and 'Trizonia'
  • 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. Bizonia combined Britain's and the USA’s territory in Germany. Trizonia is when France combined their territory with Bizonia 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?

An infographic answering the question 'Why did the Deutschmark increase tension?' shown in a central red box. On the left, under the heading 'Broke agreement at Potsdam,' a gray box explains: 'Germany’s economy was supposed to be run as a whole; the Deutschmark created a new economy.' On the right, under the heading 'Created two Germanys,' a gray box states: 'Germany was now all but separated into two, with different currencies in each of the two zones.' Blue arrows point from both explanations to the central question.
A flowchart showing the impact of the Deutschmark on Cold War tensions
  • 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

A question could ask you to write a narrative account of the Soviet reaction to the Berlin Crisis. A narrative account answer should follow CHRONOLINK:

  • Put the sequence of events in chronological order

  • Link each section of the narrative to the next event that occurred. You should use linkage terms such as: 'as a consequence', 'this led to' or 'because'

The first section of your narrative should state about the creation of Bizonia. Your link should include process words such as 'affected' and 'worsened' to explain how this caused tension between the Soviet Union and the USA.

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Zoe Wade

Author: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History Content Creator

Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

Bridgette Barrett

Reviewer: Bridgette Barrett

Expertise: Geography Lead

After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.