The Berlin Blockade Causes The fusion of the zones o 1947 – Britain & USA fuse their 2 zones into a single administrative unit – Bizonia o 1948 – France is added to form Trizonia Constitution set up (Allies planning to set up an independent state) Russians Alarmed – did not want a strong, rich Germany. As it raised the possibility of another attack on Russia (1914, 1941) o Western Allies also join their sectors of Berlin Contrast of lifestyles evident in Berlin (People from German Berlin could freely go into the western sectors. ) The Differing Economies of East and West Berlin & Germany o Marshal Aid o Reduction of Unemployment 150, 000 new jobs Reduction of unemployment by 20 of the labour force by 1953 Deterioration of Working conditions in the east o Wages cut by 40 % o Rising Food Prices o Currency Reform – Deutschmark Based on American Credit o Strong & Valuable Germans remembered the inflation of 1923 and embraced the reform. The new currency was difficult to keep out of the Berliners as they could travel freely. Immigrations o Total emigration from East to West Germany Exceeded 178, 000 annually between 1952 and 1959 Jun 1948 – East Berlin introduces new currency Events June 1948 Stalin intends to Starve west Berlin to surrender. He Blockades Berlin claiming that there are “technical reason.” 26 th of June – USA decided to Airlift supplies.
The Term Paper on Berlin Wall East West Germany
The Berlin Wall separated the people of East Berlin from the people in West Berlin. It separated families, kept people from their jobs, and caused people to die. It was erected in an effort to save East Berlin's economy, but in the end it did so much more. The fleeing of residents of East Berlin to West Berlin affected the Soviet Union and East Berlin in two ways. The first of which was economic. ...
o Airlift pilots required each pilot to fly an exact route at predetermined speed and altitude. At its peak, planes had to supply after every 3 minutes. If an arriving plane was unable to make a landing at Berlin on its first attempt, it had to return to its base in West Germany. Adding to the routine dangers facing airlift pilots was Soviet harassment in the form of o jamming radio channels, o directing searchlights at aircraft taking off at night, o the “buzzing” of cargo planes by Russian fighters, and o barrage balloons allowed to drift into the air corridors.
245, 315 TONS of supplies were airlifted to the blockaded city. This enabled the allies to provide enough food and fuel to the 2. 5 million living in West Berlin. 12 of May Stalin admits defeat and lifted the blockade.
