The Berlin Airlift was an important case in the early period of the post- Second World War years. It was very important in the formation of the geopolitical structure of the Europe of the aftermath of the Second World War. In this article, the author is going to discuss the effects of the Berlin Airlift towards the Cold War as well as study the events in details.

Background: The Division of Germany

Germany was divided into four zones enclosed by Allies powers after the World War II, the powers included United States, Soviet Union, Britain and France. The sphere of interest of the Soviet Union brought East Germany occasioning the division of Berlin.

The Berlin Blockade

The first took the following form: In June 1948, the Soviet Union surrounded West Berlin and closed every road, railway, and waterway route. The intention was to either make the Western Allies surrender the city or allow the Soviets to have control it. This was during some of the early years of the Cold War and it ramped-up the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Berlin Airlift

Due to the Soviet blockade the Western Allies started the Berlin Airlift responding to that blockade. The air links remained with the Allied forces and planes began flying over sixty sorties, carrying supplies to West Berlin from June 1948 to May 1949. This daring operation was planned to feed the city population and additionally prove western determination against Soviet forces.

The Scale of the Operation

Consequently, the Berlin Airlift was a very large exercise. Altogether, 276988 flights transported some 2,3 million tons of food, fuels, and other essential requirements to the occupied West Berlin. This was an average daily ration of 5,000 tons of supplies.

A Symbol of Determination

The Berlin Airlift became symbolic of Western’s utterly resolve during the Cold War period . Even though the Soviet surrounded Berlin with supply cut off point the Allies managed to support the city showing that they respected the principle of self determination and not allow the Soviets to dictate over Berlin.

Impact on the Cold War

The Failure of the Soviet Blockade

The Berlin Airlift evidenced grave strategic deficiency for the Soviet Union. Thus, the blockade failed on the measure to compel the Western Allies out of Berlin. Rather it strengthened the bipolarity of the cold war super powers thus deepening the chasm between East and West.

Building up of Western Partnerships

He that succeeded in the Berlin Airlift choose to form NATO in the subsequent year of 1949. The purpose of NATO is to act as security alliance of western nations who grouped together to confront the soviet threat. It signaled change of the guard and also ensured that America will not hesitate to defend Europe.

Erosion of Soviet Credibility

The event that marked the cold war and helped unmask the socialist bloc was the Soviet Union blockage of West Berlin which was promptly renamed the ‘Berlin Airlift’. By their failure, the Soviet Union lost credibility and consequently lost the strategic higher ground in the international scene. It also help to put emphasize on the civilizational divide between the western liberal democracy and the Soviets’ totalitarianism.

Legacy

The Berlin Airlift has been formed to mean concretization of unity, focus, and perseverance in the face of hardship. It demonstrated the democratic intention of the western Allies to defend freedom and democracy in Europe. The actions during the blockade gave the start to the period of Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

An Enduring Icon

Today there is the Berlin Airlift Memorial that recreates the uniqueness of the event that turned Berlin into an example of hope. It has bit of something to do with the strength and creativity of man and victory of democracy against dictatorship.

Lessons Learned

In the Berlin Airlift situation, one can learn that for any country, it is always vital to stay on each other’s good side and to remain on Welfare check. It showed that where there is the will, and everyone works together, any obstacle can be conquered.

Conclusion

The event that occurred during the Cold War that really shaped the war was the Berlin Airlift. It acted as a revolution, it cemented the east and the west as completely different entities and enhanced the toasting of Western powers. It was a successful endeavour, which not only maintained the life in West Berlin but also with the same demonstrated the commitment of United States and its allies toward Soviet aggression. Experience of the Berlin Airlift is presented to the future generations as an example of struggle for freedom and democracy.