What were the causes, events
and results of the Berlin Crisis?
C – I can describe the events of the Berlin Crisis,
1948-49.
B – I can explain the events of the Berlin Crisis ,
1948-49.
A – I can explain, link and prioritise the events
of the Berlin Crisis , 1948-49.
Why did Stalin blockade West Berlin?
• Long term causes – agreement to divide Berlin at
Potsdam.
• West Berlin was an area of Capitalism within
Communist territory – bad for Soviet propaganda.
• Berlin was ‘gap’ in the iron curtain. Many East
Germans tried to escape communism by getting
into West Berlin.
• The Soviets argued that Western spies were
getting into communist controlled area through
West Berlin.
Why did Stalin blockade West Berlin?
• The Allies encouraged economic recovery in
their zones, while Stalin wanted to weaken
Germany to prevent future attack.
• Western zones received lots of Marshall Aid.
Events of the Crisis
24 June 1948 – Stalin accused the West of interfering in the Soviet zone. He cut
off road, rail and canal traffic. Stalin was trying to force the allies to pull out.
June – Western powers announced plans to give Western Germany its own
currency. The Soviet Union struck back and announced that the ‘Ostmark’ would
be the currency in the East.
28 June – The Allies began airlifting supplies into West Berlin. Planes flew day and
night to strict schedules. Stalin even tried to block the air route with weather
balloons.
B29 bombers, capable of carrying the Atom Bomb were sent to Britain as a
warning to Stalin.
September – Planes were flying in 4600 tonnes of supplies each day. Supplies
included food, clothes, oil, building materials.
12 May 1949 – Stalin called off the blockade. West Berliners celebrated in the
streets.
Results of the Crisis
• Increased East – West rivalry.
• Confirmed the division of Germany and Berlin
for the long-term – West Germany and East
Germany were formally separated within days
of the crisis ending.
• Led to the creation of NATO.
• Truman saw the crisis as a great victory.
What was/is NATO?
• After the Berlin Crisis Truman was more
committed than ever to containing communism.
• Truman knew that, even joined together, the
countries in Western Europe were not strong
enough to stop communism and needed support.
• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was
signed in April 1949 as a defensive alliance to
prevent Soviet expansion.
What was the Warsaw Pact?
• A rival to NATO – set up by Stalin who saw
NATO as an aggressive alliance against the
Soviet Union.
• Military alliance of 8 nations led by Soviet
Union.
• Members pledged to support each other if
attacked.
Cold War Developments – 1949-55.
• 1949 – Communists take control of China. In
response the USA developed ‘Domino Theory –
the belief that if one country in Asia had become
communist, many others could follow.
• 1949 – Soviet Union develop atomic bomb.
• 1950 – 55 – Korean War after Communist North
invades democratic South Korea.
• McCarthyism in USA – anti-Communist hysteria.
Arms Race
• USA and Soviet Union both poured money
into developing arms. Both sides suspected
the other of trying to build enough weapons
to make a ‘First Strike’ and prevent the other
side firing back.
• Truman ordered the development of the ‘HBomb’ (Hydrogen bomb). Stalin responded
and both countries tested H-bombs within
months of each other in 1953.
Stalin’s Death
• Stalin died in 1953. For two years no firm
leader emerged.
• Eventually Nikita Khrushchev became leader
and begun a policy of peaceful co-existence
with the West.
Exam Questions
• Explain why there was a crisis over Berlin in
1948-49. (12 marks, 15 minutes, POINT, EXP,
LINK X3, CONCLUSION)
• Briefly explain the results of the Berlin Crisis,
1948. (6 marks, 8 minutes, POINT, EXP X3)
• Describe one feature of NATO. (2 marks, 2
minutes, POINT, EXP)
• Describe one feature of the Warsaw Pact. (2
marks, 2 minutes, POINT, EXP)