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9 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Intro to Cold War + German Division |
2 atomic superpowers after WW2, Russia communist expansion differences, Western allies opposed it. Truman + presidents not allow comm to spread. When war ended in EU 1945, Allies divided Germany into 4 zones. West-western allies, east-soviet. Same with Berlin in soviet zone. |
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Western Zones merging |
US Britain + France merged zones in 1948 and est federal govt. Due to coup d'etat staged by communists in Czech-backed by soviet troops that established full communist control of country= Heightened tensions between western allies and soviet russia. Stalin angry when zones merged- knew this would end soviet hopes of keeping Germany divided neutral + weak |
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Berlin Blockade 23 June 1948 |
Stalin cuts off all road rail water routes between berlin and western zones- in his rights as it wasnt laid down in any agreement. Cut off over 2M west berliners. Stalin hoped that to prevent people starving, western allies allow west berlin to become part of soviet east Germany. |
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Truman + Clay determined to stay |
Truman + advisers determined to stay in West Berlin, as defeat would weaken communist containment around the world. Gen Clay 'When west Berlin falls, western Germany will be next.. if we withdraw..communism will run rampant.'' Truman agreed: ''We are going to stay, period.'' |
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Decision on airlift |
Clay believed US army should fight its way into west Berlin if necessary. But Truman + British believed it too risky and could provoke war with Russia = Decided upon a swift and decisive response by organising huge airlift 'Operation Vittles' |
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Operation Vittles + B29 bombers |
Stalin not closed off air access to city- Us and Britain used 3 narrow air corridors to airlift supplies-planes every 3 mins 3 airports. 2,000 tonnes supplies to 10,000 a day at height = Huge military achievement. Truman stationed B29 bombers and let it be known they had nuclear weapons- to show Stalin how serious US was in relation to Berlin. |
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Conditions West Berlin + End of Blockade 12 May 1949 |
despite vittles, conditions in west Berlin v difficult. Businesses closed down due to lack of supplies = 125,000 lost jobs. Little heating, electricity ltd to 4hrs/day + food rationed. Nevertheless Morale high, pol leaders organised demos to show determination not to give in to soviet russia. Finally Stalin realised city would survive and US + Britain couldnt be pushed out. Blockade ended 12 May 1949. |
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Outcome of Berlin Blockade |
Huge victory for US + Western Allies + policy of communist containment. Defenders of helpless city while russia seen as agressor trying to starve over 2M people into surrender. Also showed Germany permanently divided and that there was no hope of agreement between east and west. |
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Formation of NATO 1949 |
Most significant result was formation of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in April 1949. Berlin Blockade showed how unprepped West was to tackle soviet aggression. To comabt this, West formed NATO a military alliance; Attack upon one attack upon all. Included US Canada Britain France Italy + Turkey. Major development in US Foreign pol-first time pledge to military action before outbreak of hostilities. |
