Consequences of the Berlin Blockade (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE History)

Revision Note

Zoe Wade

Written by: Zoe Wade

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Why Did the USSR Begin the Berlin Blockade?

  • The Potsdam Conference agreed to split Berlin into two parts:

    • The USA, Britain and France occupied the western zone

    • The USSR occupied the eastern zone

How was Berlin divided from 1945 to 1948?
How was Berlin divided from 1945 to 1948?

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

  • Trizonia introduced the Deutschmark in June 1948

    • This was the breaking point for Stalin

Causes of the Berlin Blockade
Causes of the Berlin Blockade
  • The USSR believed that the Western powers had no right to Berlin

    • Berlin fell within East Germany

    • Trizonia threatened the power of the USSR in Germany

      • The Deutschmark split Berlin into two different economic zones

        • Capitalist Trizonia had a better economy

        • This would make the USSR look weak

  • By 1948, Stalin decided that blockading Berlin would force the West out of Berlin

Why did the USSR decide to blockade Berlin?
Why did the USSR decide to blockade Berlin?

How Did the USSR Blockade Berlin?

  • The USSR could control access to Berlin

    • It was deep inside the Soviet-occupied zone

    • Trizonia only had two agreed land routes and two air routes to West Berlin

  • In June 1948, the USSR closed road, rail and canal links across Soviet-controlled Germany 

  • Without the support of the USA, Britain and France, West Berlin

    • Only had enough food for 36 days

    • Lacked important resources like fuel and medicine

  • Stalin wanted to control the whole of Berlin

    • It was the capital city of Germany

    • The USSR could spread Communist ideas

    • Stalin would gain a propaganda victory

      • He could present the capture of Berlin as a triumph of Communism over capitalism

 How Did the West React to the Blockade?

  • The USA, Britain and France were in a challenging position after the announcement of the blockade in June 1948

    • The West risked war if they attempted to break the blockade

    • Doing nothing would give Berlin to the USSR

    • Without the support of the West, West Berlin would quickly run out of food, fuel and medical supplies

  • They had three options to respond to the blockade:

How could the West respond to the Berlin Blockade?
How could the West respond to the Berlin Blockade?

Worked Example

Study Sources C and D

Does Source C make Source D surprising? Explain your answer using details of the sources and your knowledge

8 marks

Source C: From the diary of a US official, 28 June 1948

Meeting at White House about the Berlin Situation. When the question was discussed – do we stay in Berlin or not? – President Truman interrupted to say that there was no discussion on that point, we were going to stay. We were in Berlin by terms of an agreement and the Russians had no right to get us out by either direct or indirect pressure

Source D: From an American newspaper, 12 September 1948

After repeated meetings between the Western representatives and Stalin the hope was expressed that the Berlin blockade was about to be lifted. Yet the blockade continues and even air communications between the Western zones and Berlin are now under threat. The seizure of the Berlin City Hall by the Communists appears to be only a matter of time. When that happens the position of the Western powers will be far more difficult. Russia is holding the trump cards in Berlin and will only give in at a price too high for the Western powers. Besides, any bargain that one may strike with Moscow today will not be kept by Stalin. 

The activities of Russia in Berlin will convince any sensible person that Moscow is trying to drive the Western Allies to a declaration of war, in which they will be branded the aggressors. The longer the Western Allies remain in Berlin as targets of constant humiliations by the Soviet power, the greater the danger of plunging Europe into another war. The Western Allies can pull out of Berlin with dignity and get back to their own zones on the excellent grounds that co-operation with Russia is no longer possible. They can then establish their military, economic and political front along their Russian border and meet the Soviets on even terms

Partial answer:

Source C does make Source D surprising as they disagree about whether the USA should pull out of Berlin to end the blockade (1). Source C states that “President Truman interrupted to say that there was no discussion on that point, we were going to stay”. However, Source D argues that ”The longer the Western Allies remain in Berlin, the greater the danger of plunging Europe into another war” (1). As Source D is an American newspaper, it may represent many Americans' opinions of the Berlin Blockade. As a result, it is surprising to see that keeping West Berlin may not have been as important to the US public as it was to President Truman (1).

Examiner Tips and Tricks

To answer this style of question in Paper Two, you should aim to:

  • State how surprising the information in Source C is when compared to Source D. To do this, you need to understand the different outlooks of both sources on a specific event. Ensure you clearly state in a sentence if Source C makes Source D surprising

  • Use quotes from both sources. This is needed to show where the sources differ

Compare the two sources, using your own knowledge. In this example, you could discuss if Truman was willing to go to war over Berlin as Source D expresses fear that this may happen.

What was the Berlin Airlift?

  • In June 1948, the West decided to fly supplies into Berlin. This was a clever tactic because

    • It was not an aggressive action

    • The USSR would start a war if they shot any planes down

  • From June 1948 to May 1949, the Berlin Airlift (codename Operation Vittles) flew vital supplies to West Berlin

What happened during the Berlin Airlift?
What happened during the Berlin Airlift?

The Impact of the Berlin Crisis

  • The Berlin Airlift had negative impacts on Stalin

    • He could not stop the airlift

      • Shooting down planes carrying supplies would lead to war

    • It humiliated the USSR

      • By doing nothing, the USSR looked weak

  • On 12th May 1949, the USSR lifted the Berlin Blockade

    • The Western Allies continued to fly in supplies until 30th September 1949

  • The Berlin Airlift was a massive victory for the West over the East

    • This worsened tension between the two ‘superpowers

  • Several key events happened partly as a result of the Berlin Crisis:

What was the impact of the Berlin Crisis?
What was the impact of the Berlin Crisis?

Examiner Tips and Tricks

A Paper One exam question could ask you if you agree that the Cold War started during the Berlin Crisis in 1948. A strong response for this Paper One question needs to examine both sides of the argument using a clear PEE structure.

Arguments for: The Berlin Blockade was the first event that could have caused a war. Both countries decided not to physically fight but wanted to win a propaganda victory. The crisis ended with the official division of East and West Germany.
Arguments against: The Potsdam Conference in 1945 broke the US-Soviet alliance. Events such as the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech and the creation of Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe could be seen as the start of the Cold War.

You would then need to write a conclusion explaining how far you agree that the Cold War began because of the Berlin Crisis. Remember to use phrases like ‘fully’ or ‘partially’ to explain the level which you agree or disagree with the statement.

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Zoe Wade

Author: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History

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

Author: 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.