The tenets of the Berlin Crisis provided a background to one of the most critical events in the Cold War, which added tension in the strained US/Soviet Union relations. Drawing in its several years’ period and featuring a standoff between these two superpowers, the Berlin Crisis played a significant role in determining the future of the Cold War culture. SOME OF THE FACTORS AND EFFECTS OF THE BERLIN CRISIS The topic for discussion in this article is the key factors and consequences of the Berlin Crisis.

1. Background: Divided Berlin

Post World War II, Germany and Berlin in general was divided among the allied countries. This town was similarly divided and was located in the Soviet dominated East Germany, and in Berlin too, the city was also divided in the four sectors and were controlled by United States of America, Britain, France and USSR.

But it become apparent that even the western powers could not go it alone with the replacement of one totalitarian regime for another and the division of this city into east and West Berlin. West Berlin was managed by the western Allies and had a social organisation while East Berlin had the Soviets and was a communism area.

2. The Berlin Blockade and Airlift: 

A historic event that postmarked history was the Berlin blockade and the air lift launched by Soviet, which can be described and analyzed mainly in the following way.

In 1948 the Soviet Union wanted to gain control over West Berlin and therefore he blocked any kind of overland and water transport to the city. The Soviets wanted to force the Western powers to abandon the control of West Berlin and merge it with East Berlin under comtemporary rules.

In response, the United States and it allies moved to supply West Berlin with necessities through the Berlin Airlift, food, fuel and other necessities. This airlift continued for more than a year, with several thousand flights being needed to help keep their citizens alive.

The Berlin Airlift showed resolve by the western powers to defend West Berlin also served to show the dark differences between communism and democracy. The soviets later raised the barricade in 1949 but not the division of Berlin.

3. The Berlin Wall

But although the blockade was lifted there was division of Berlin and moreover East Germany did not want its citizens to escape to the West. The Wall dividing east and West Berlin was built by East Germany in 1961.

Berlin Wall became metaphorical and literal border that demonstrated the presence of Iron Curtain while dividing Europe between democratic states in the West and communistic ones in the East. Not only did it act as a barrier and discourage East Germans from fleeing to the better off West.

4. US-Soviet Standoff

The construction of the Berlin Wall further brought closer the contradiction between the United States of America and Soviet Union. For the Western powers it was one more gross violation of human rights, for the Soviets – an attempt to strengthen their grip on the GDR.

The USA under the presidency of John F. Kennedy show vivid hostility and was determined to defend the liberty of West Berlin. He made one of his famous speeches in 1963, when he said, ‘I am a native Berliner’ in support of the American stance of having the city’s back.

5. Nuclear Arms Race

This crisis made the United States and Soviet Union further advance on the nuclear arms race as one of the greatest impacts of the escape. The two superpowers also viewed the importance of a powerful navy to safeguard their stake.

The United States started installing nuclear missile in several European countries in an effort to threaten Soviet Union and protect itself from its attack. This act further led to a heightened level of tension between two countries, and thus the percentage chances of developing a nuclear war.

6. Thawing of Tensions

Nonetheless, the Berlin Crisis dragged on and on while the tensions indicates that the confrontation for the United States and the Soviet Union finally eased after the prolonged and increasing confrontation. The two nations signed a treaty in 1963 a few years after the construction of the Berlin Wall which prohibited the carrying out of more tests in the atmosphere.

Afterwards, different actions that pursued detente or the relaxation of tension were made by both superpowers in those following years and it resulted in the resolution of the Cold War.

Conclusion

The main ideas of the Berlin Crisis, or how it influenced the advancement of the Cold War. The building of the Berlin Wall escalated tension between East and West and the nuclear arms race placed tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union at new levels. Higher tensions between these two countries also test how they wanted to lower tensions and seek a peaceful solution after this event. The study of the origins and effects of the Berlin Crisis is important for an appropriate understanding of the Cold War and its demisc.