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Airlift - GCSE History Definition

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

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Airlift refers to a rapid and organised transportation of people or goods via aircraft, often employed in situations where ground routes are impractical or too slow. In the context of GCSE History, the most famous airlift is the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949. During this event, Britain and America supplied West Berlin with essential goods and fuel by air after the Soviet Union blocked all ground routes to the city. The Berlin Airlift lasted 11 months. It was a massive victory for the West over the East, but this created even greater tension between the two ‘superpowers’.

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Zoe Wade

Reviewer: 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.

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