The Berlin Blockade, 1948
The Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Airlift
- Began with currency reforms in west Germany
- Russians block the transportation routes into Berlin
- allies had to decide to give up Berlin or make other plans
- war was an option
The Berlin Airlift
- instead the US decided on a massive airlift to supply the western half of the city
- one aircraft lands every two minutes for fifteen months
- it became a public relations victory and show of US industrial might
- example of Truman doctrine
- one cause for the formation of the north Atlantic treaty Organization (NATO)
“People of this world, look upon this city and see that you should not and cannot abandon this city and this people.” Ernst Reuter, Mayor of West Berlin during the Berlin blockade, September 9, 1948
Subjunctive question
Summary: The Russian military creates the blockade, which changes the currency in western Germany and blocking off any transportation routes for trading in Berlin. The US uses cargo planes to fly in food and other needs to the city. America involving themselves this way helps proves the Democratic party is better than a communist party.