The Berlin Blockade What were the main factors that ultimately led to the failure of the Berlin Blockade? Word Count: 1957 TABLE OF CONTENTS A. Plan of the investigation ……………………………………………………………………….. 3 B. Summary of Evidence …………………………………………………………………………. 4 C. Evaluation of Sources .…...…………………………………………………………………….. 6 D. Analysis ………………………………………………………………………………………... 8 E. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………… 10 F. List of Sources ………………………………………………………………………………….. 11 A. PLAN OF THE INVESTIGATION The aim of this investigation is to assess the main factors that ultimately led to the failure of the Berlin blockade, giving the Soviets no other choice but to end it. To evaluate the actions and policies of the Superpowers during the crisis that played a role in lifting the blockade. The extent to which the fact that the Western Allies did not respond with violence but with the airlift and its success was a main factor to its end will be assessed. The significance of the agreement made between the Soviets and the US in lifting not only the Berlin Blockade but also the Western counter blockade will also be evaluated. The reasons for the implementation of the blockade, the actions of the superpowers that do not contribute to the failure of the blockade and the consequences from this crisis will not be investigated. The analysis will be done by researching different views on the blockade’s failure and the events leading up to it. This analysis will be supported by a primary source, letters between the USSR and the US at the beginning of the crisis. This gives both American and Soviet perspectives. Other sources used for this investi... ... middle of paper ... ...ess. Tomkinson, John L. (2008) The Cold War: Themes in Twentieth Century World History for the International Baccalaureate. 3rd edition. Athens: Anagnosis. Zink, Harold. (1957) The United States in Germany, 1944-1955 [online]. Princeton, NJ: D. Van Nostrand [cited 12th September 2011]. Available from: US Department of State. Soviet and Allied Statement on the Berlin Blockade. In: Tucker Spencer C, Roberts Priscilla, Pierpaoli Paul G, Dowling Timothy C, Hogg Gordon E. (eds.) (2008) Cold War: A Student Encyclopedia (Vol 1, pp 2398 - 2403). Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, inc. From: US Department of State, The Berlin Crisis A Report on the Moscow Discussions, 1948, Including Text of a Note Addressed to the Soviet Government on September 26 by the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, Publication 3298.
... Cuban attack with all-out nuclear retaliation. In response to the increased Soviet ships coming with weapons, JFK ordered a blockade, which he called quarantine because a blockade is an act of war, around Cuba. For 13 days, the world held its breath as the threat of a nuclear war hung over the world, but the Soviets eventually turned back and Khrushchev agreed to remove weapons from Cuba in exchange for no US invasion of Cuba. Meanwhile in Berlin, the city was in turmoil between the East (Soviet) and the West (US controlled). In order to stop the mass exodus of East Berliners, the construction of the 90-mile Berlin Wall began. Both Kennedy and Khrushchev sought ways to ease the tension between the two groups, establishing a hotline between the White House and the Kremlin, and later this led to the Limited Ban Treaty, which banned nuclear testing in the atmosphere.
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Outline of Essay About the Origins of the Cold War OUTLINE: Introduction- 1. Definition of ‘Cold War’ and the Powers involved 2. Perceived definition of ‘start of Cold War’ 3. Iron Curtain Speech, Truman Doctrine and Berlin Blockade as significant events that caused strife between both powers, but which triggering off the start of the Cold War Body- 1. Iron Curtain Speech (1946) - A warning of Soviet influence beyond the acknowledged Eastern Europe - Churchill’s belief that the idea of a balance in power does not appeal to the Soviets - Wants Western democracies to stand together in prevention of further
Also this post war period was a competition between this to last countries. They were the most important mundial powers at the time. They tried to show which one of them was better according to their political system, american capitalism or soviet communism. This political differences had a stronger impact in Berlin where this countries were separated by a road. “For the Communist Government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), West Berlin was a constant provocation, as it was an easy escape route for many East Germans who wanted to flee the country.” (“The building of the Berlin Wall”). In order to stop this mass exodus, which weakened Soviet economy and position in the War, they built the Berlin Wall and made the passage impossible in
The first crisis of Berlin was the blockade. It began on June 24, 1948. (Taylor 54) ...
The most visible aspect of the Cold War was the Berlin Wall. Before the wall was constructed, East and West Germans could travel freely between the two states. The number of East Germans fleeing to West was an embarrassment to the Communists, and something had to be done to pro...
To glance, it seems bizarre why the decision to build the wall in the heart of Europe which divided a large city was taken. In this respect, it is necessary to take into consideration the historical circumstances, which led to the creation of the Wall. Naturally, the tension between the world’s superpowers grew and the division of the world into socialist and Democratic Party was practically inevitable. In such a situation Berlin, being occupied and controlled by four countries, the US, the UK, France and the USSR, could not fail to remain the epicenter of the international tension. In fact, there were a lot of factors which contributed to the decision to build the war in Berlin, such as a currency reform in 1948 and the following ineffective
Relations were subsequently tested during the Berlin Crisis, resulting in the Soviet Union stepping down when confronted by the military superiority of the US. This in part is attributed to the redirection of Soviet interests toward East Asia over Europe, and Beijing’s adoption of a pro-Soviet policy, further raised Cold War concerns for the US.
Hi, my name is Shawn and I am a thirteen year old in Berlin, we are in the middle of the Berlin Blockade. Right now my family has gone without any food for three days. If you are asking what the Blockade is, it is how the Soviet Union is trying to keep France, Great Britain, and the United States out of their territory. Right now all it has done is make people on the other side of the wall go hungry for days. I think the allies were really nice to drop off food and supplies for us because my family didn’t starve after all. Catholic Priests have come and helped us a lot they said they do not think what the Soviet Union is doing is right. Well I gotta go my Mom needs me, I would like to talk with you later. Bye.