The Berlin Blockade/Airlift 1948
- Began with currency reforms in West Germany
- Russians block the transportation routes into Berlin
- Allies had to decide to give up Berlin or make other plans
- War was an option
- Instead the US decided on a massive airflift to supply the western half of the city
- One aircraft lands every two hours for fifteen months
- It became a public relations victory and a show of US industrial might
- Example of the Truman Doctrine
- One cause for the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Interesting Fact
Nearly 700 aircraft were used during the Berlin Airlift, more than 100 of which belonged to civilian operators.
Quote
"A move to test our ability and our will to resist."
- Henry S. Truman
- Henry S. Truman
Subjunctive Question
What would have happened if the US had decided to not use the massive airlift? Would they have started a war instead to prevent the USSR from taking Berlin?
Summary
The Russians attempt to stop the US from stopping the spread of Communism led to them blocking the transportation routes into Berlin. The allies could not longer get into Germany. They had to come up with an alternative plan or give up Berlin. The US decided on a massive airflift to supply the western half of the city. For 15 months, one aricraft would land for every 2 hours. This was an example of the Truman Doctrine and became a public relations victory and a show of US industrial might. The Berlin Airlift was one cause for the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).