Name: ________________________________ Per: _____
American Cultures 6.0, Mr. Gutsche
President Truman's Decision Making Process in the Berlin Airlift
Scenario: President Truman and military leaders thought about and tried flying supplies into West Berlin. They
were not sure if they should continue with this very risky course of action.
Part 1: Below is a list of disadvantages and advantages of this course of action. Decide which of these
situations is an advantage and which is a disadvantage. Circle D for the ones you think are disadvantages and
Circle A for the ones you think are advantages. Discuss your answers within your group and be prepared to
discuss your choices with the class.
1) If the United States showed off its military strength and tried to force the Soviet Union to open up the land
and water routes into West Berlin, it could lead to another war. A or D
2) The airport in Berlin could not handle all the increased air traffic.
A or D
3) Using the planes necessary to make the airlift successful would make the United States military less able
to defend our country if it were attacked. A or D
4) General Clay, President Truman's military advisor, thought the Soviets would probably attack armed
convoys bringing in supplies by land. A or D
5) General Clay thought the Soviets would not attack our airplanes unless they had decided to go to war
with us. A or D
Part 2: Next, review the three letters (on pages 2-4 of this document) written to President Truman in 1948. Each
expresses a different opinion about the crisis in West Berlin.
After reading the letters and looking at some of the disadvantages and advantages of flying in supplies to the
people of West Berlin, what do you think you would have decided to do? :
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Why? Explain your reasoning. ________________________________________________________________
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Name: ________________________________ Per: _____
To President Truman -- Letter 1
American Cultures 6.0, Mr. Gutsche
Name: ________________________________ Per: _____
To President Truman -- Letter 2
American Cultures 6.0, Mr. Gutsche
Name: ________________________________ Per: _____
To President Truman -- Letter 3
American Cultures 6.0, Mr. Gutsche