Berlin+Airlift+Crisis

=__ The Berlin Airlift Crisis (June 24, 1948 – May 11, 1949) __=

**2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift Crisis, the pinnacle of the cold war. In June 1948 Stalin blocked all surface routes in and out of Western Berlin; road, rail and canal routes were all cut. Berlin was left with 35 days food supply and 45 days worth of coal.**  =The Capitalist Viewpoint  =

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=The Communist Viewpoint =

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  Points of Interest:    The heart of nazi power, Berlin, was the symbolic capital of Germany and Nazism. Both the USA and USSR were keen for central European military bases. Stalin was determined to keep Germany weak and prevent any possibility of future invasion. For eleven months food and other supplies were flown into Berlin by allied planes. 275,000 flights carried in 1 ½ million tonnes of supplies and its peak one plane landed every three minutes. It cost about $100 million along with 79 service men who died. As a result both Nato and the Warsaw pact defensive alliances would be set up.

The sixtieth anniversary of the Berlin Airlift Crisis The heart of Nazi power – Berlin was the symbolic capital of Germany and Nazism. Had been a raise for Berlin at the end of the war – USA vs. USSR Geographical location – USA and USSR keen for central European military bases Power and prestige – both USA and USSR wanted to influence in Berlin – and wanted to stop the other. Berlin was deep inside the soviet sector, yet it was divided between the four allied powers. (USA, USSR, Britain, France). Germany was run by a joint allied control commission and Berlin was run by a joint allied Kommandatura. Tensions grew between the USSR and the USA, Britain and France. Stalin was determined to keep Germany weak and prevent any possibility of future invasion. West Berlin as a “window to the west” for those living in the soviet sector. The Western Allies had invested heavily to help West Berlin recover. This showed those in East Germany (living behind the iron curtain) the standard of living in the west. The introduction of a new currency was a step too far. Stalin thus wanted to force the western allies (USA, Britain, France) out of West Berlin. In June 1948, Stalin blocked all routes in and out of Berlin. Road. Rail and canal routes were cut – all surface links. How Were Berliners Kept Alive? For eleven months food and other supplies were flown into Berlin by allied planes. 275,000 flights carried in 1 ½ million tonnes of supplies its peak, one plane landed every three minutes. It cost about $100 million along with 79 service men who died. Cold war got worse – war had almost broken out Germany split, East and West NATO and the Warsaw pact defensive alliances would be set up Arms Race – Both sides focused on building controversial and nuclear weapons.

Mixed by:

DJ SKANALSKI ft. DA FRIAR