The berlin blockade and airlift was one of the major incidents during world war II which occurred from June 1948 and end in May 1949. At this time, Soviet Union cut off all the road and water ways to West Berlin effectively at least cutting it off from the rest of the map. In return, the United States of America, along with its allies formed an airlifting which transported basic necessities to western Berlin. It might be interesting to delve in this incident more closely.

Causes of the Berlin Blockade

The Berlin blockade was direct result of an already brewing tension between the Soviet union, and the Western Allies at the post world war II period. Here are the key causes:

• Soviet Control: Soviet Union wanted to assert dominaƞcy over Germany and persumed Wesiern Allies presence in Berlin as a threat.
• Introduction of Deutsche Mark: Since the implementation of the Deutsche Mark – the new currency for West Germany and other western countries – there were changes in both economic aspects of the two sides of Germany.
• Desire for a Unified Germany: The Western Allies wanted a united and democratic Germany inconsistent with Soviet ambitions for an Eastern Bloc controlled Germany.

The Berlin Blockade

On 24 June 1948 the access of West Berlin to the outside world by road, rail or canal was blocked by the Soviet Union. Their purpose was either to compel the Western Allies to give up West Berlin, or, at the very least, to bring the whole of the city under Soviet authority.

The blockade imposed saw the cancellation of supplies ranging from food, fuel and medicines in West Berlin. Everyone’s living standards were disrupted, and this is why the Western Allies had to work out a solution.

The Berlin Airlift

The Berlin Airlift was the biggest operation involving the delivery of supplies directly to the population of West Berlin by the USA, Great Britain and France. This operation involved moving supplies by air to bypass the besiege by the Soviets.

Here are some key details about the Berlin Airlift:

• The Start of the Airlift: As will be seen, the airlift commenced on June 26, 1948 when cargo planes began to arrive at Tempelhof Airport in West Berlin.
• Operation Vittles: The American side called its part of the Airlift operation Vittles. The British had a somewhat similar named operation called Operation Plainfare.
• Air Corridors: Three air corridors were designated for use to transport the transport planes safely. This meant there was a continuous provision of necessary commodities to West Berlin.
• Massive Scale: Thus, during the airlift operation, 277,000 plus airplanes transported about 2.3 million tons of food, coal, and medicine, etc.
• Importance of Cooperation: As shall be seen, the success of the airlift was based on the cooperation between the United States, Great Britain, France and West Germany.

End of the Berlin Blockade

The Berlin Blockade was brought to an end on 12 May 1949, although it had started only a year earlier. Several factors contributed to its resolution:

• Success of the Airlift: The Berlin Airlift showed the willingness and ability of the Western Allies to supply West Berlin that imposed pressure on SovietUnion.
• Changing Political Landscape: The blockade itself was primarily counterproductive Internationally for the Soviet Union, as people increasingly criticized what they were doing.
• Creation of Two German States: Due to that blockade, there was formation of two Germany which include the West Germany-The Federal Republic of Germany and East Germany- The German Democratic Republic in 1949.

Effect of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift

The Berlin Blockade and Airlift had several significant impacts:

• Symbol of the Cold War: The event represented the Cold War separation between the democratically free, capitalistic west and the communistic east.
• Strengthening of NATO: Due to the Treat, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, a military organization comprised of western countries was formed.
• West Berlin’s Resilience: The successful airlift draws great attention to the unyielding spirit of West Berliners as a result of adversity.

Conclusion

The event of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift remains relevant in history given the insistence of the Western Allies to supply West Berlin during this period. In this regard, it will help the later generation to understand the tenacity of individuals who participated in it and the effect it had on the world all through the Cold War.

Thus, determination of causes, details and consequences of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift can be regarded as useful insights to the specified historical phenomenon.