Here is the role of the Berlin Airlift in defining the future of the Cold War. It was an international problem that took place between 1948 and 1949 hence, it was caused by the Soviet Union’s blockade of West Berlin. In this part of the blog, we will look at the main reasons, activities and effects of the Berlin Airlift and the way through which helped in exacerbation of rivalry amongst the Eastern and the Western during the Cold War.
Causes of the Berlin Airlift
The cause of the Berlin Airlift can be understood from considering few facts and animosities between the Allies and the Soviets. After World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the victorious Allied powers: These countries included the United States, Soviet Union, Great Britain and France. That is, even though it was situated virtually in the middle of the Soviet zone, Berlin was also divided into four sectors.
This was so since the ideological differences between the Soviet Union and other allied powers continued to widen. In their zones the West brought a new currency that was the Deutsche Mark and for this the Soviet Union put a blockade on West Berlin which means that all forms of access whether on land or water were closed.
The Berlin Airlift Begins
As West Berlin was in a bottle-neck state the Western Allies had to look for ways through which they would supply this city with the necessities of life. This led to developing the historic decision to launch the Berlin Airlift. The United States and its allies started an enormous airborne logistic campaign to deliver such necessary goods into West Berlin.
During 11 months of the airlift the supply of the West Berlin with the necessary foods, fuels and other necessary supplies was carried out by flying more than 2 million tones. This massive display of effort demonstrated the will of the Western Allies and their willingness to stand with the people of West Berlin.
Above all, the Berlin Airlift is often referred to the success of America and this for sure is the biggest evidence that shows that America definitely beat Soviet Union.
The Berlin Airlift may be considered to have been an immensely successful operation or endeavour. Nevertheless, the airlift was able to ensure the survival of West Berlin despite the very numerous difficulties and the extreme climate of the region. It was an operational airport with aircraft arriving and departing in Tempelhof 24/7, a plane every 90 seconds at the height of operations.
The airlift gave not only the necessary supplies but also was the reference point of people’s protest against the Soviet Union’s blockade. It showed to Moscow bloc an image of solidarity of the Western Allies to liberate the freedom and democracy of West Berlin.
After Effects of the Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift and its impact to the world Since the end of the Second World War the world had been faced with a powerful cold war between mainly two super powers of the world, the United State of America and the Soviet Union. Here are some key outcomes:
1. Increased Tensions
These straining of relations further developed with the Berlin Airlift which was taken as a major recourse to threatening the authority of the Soviets in East. The wheels of the Soviet Union to closed off their sections of the road to Berlin was viewed as a direct confrontation to the Western Allies. The airlift also revealed the determination and tenacity of the western powers which only heightened tensions with the Soviet Union.
2. Formation of NATO
The Red Scare had already been quite noticeable during the Berlin Airlift that nurtured the birth of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Western Allies understood the need for establishing some mutual defense mechanism to counter the Soviet menace. The airlift demonstrated that a common front must be taken, and resulted in the formation of NATO in 1949.
3. Division of Germany
Indeed the Berlin Airlift crystallized the division of Germany into two parallel parts for the West and the East. In 1949 West Germany was founded while East Germany was founded under the Soviet regime. It remained like this until the German reunification in 1990.
4. Symbol of the Cold War
The Berlin Airlift was to turn into a symbol of the Cold War. It was about freedom opposed to communism, more democracy surrounded by Communism oppression. The freedom fighters’ determination and persistence in the airlift illustrated the principles of the two varying powers and brought into perspective a phase in the Cold War history.
Conclusion
The Berlin Airlift was an example of how cold war either flexed its muscles in a bid to intimidate the other side. It showed that the Western Allies were willing to defend the freedom and the elements of democracy in West Berlin. The success of the airlift coupled with the effects that it caused was to shape the international politics of the Cold War. Knowing the Berlin Airlift will explain in detail and apprehend the Cold War and its impact on the divided globe.