The cold war was a time of hegemonic structure between the two superpowers, that is the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics. Among the great events that passed during this period is the Berlin Airlift. We will discuss about the historical background of the Berlin Airlift, How it was important and What did it lead to?
- Background
At the end of World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the Allied forces: the United States, USSR, Great Britain and France which comprised of the Allied Powers. Likewise, the capital city of Berlin was also split into four sections, despite being surrounded deeply in the Soviet’s zone of control. This led to the emergence of differences between Allies and Soviets first stages of Cold War.
In 1948, Soviet Union surrounded West Berlin cutting off all its supply lines in a bid to annex control on the city. This meant that the soviet union blockade all ways on land and on water to west Berlin effectively denying this city vital supplies and preventing it from receiving any assistance from the west. The Western Allies had a major problem of responding to this blockade and to the sustenance of the population in West Berlin.
- The Berlin Airlift Begins
As a result of the Soviet blockade, the Western Allies formulated an enormous air cargotherapy to provide West Berlin. Technically the airlift started on June 26, 1948 and was popularly known as “Operation Vittles”.
The Berlin Airlift was basically to deliver food, fuel and other required products to West Berlin. Supplies in bags and other packing were dropped by the US and its allies using a fleet of cargo planes to Tempelhof Airport as well as other airfields in West Berlin.
2.1 Operation Details
It was perfectly orchestrated with cargo planes flying 24/7 with very tight synchronization of the operation. The airlift reached a frenzied pace in which a plane descended in West Berlin every 30 seconds, or the steadfastness of the Western Allies.
Many problems appeared during operation: deteriorating weather and restricted number of airports to land on. To counter these challenges the Allies constructed a new airport, the Tegel airport and extend the Tempelhof airport. These action contributed hugely to raise the overall capacity of the airlift so that food and supplies could be brought in smoothly to West Berlin without interruption.
- The Impact and Significance
The Berlin Airlift was amazing and it marked an endeavor with post effects to the cold war and the successive decades.
3.1 Foiling the Soviet Blockade
The Berlin Airlift actually countered the Soviet blockade because it helped aircraft supply the people of West Berlin. Thus, the Western Allies were able to convincingly show the enemy, and themselves, their determination and demand for freedom and democracy.
3.2 Shaping Global Perceptions
The Berlin Airlift attracted much attention and sympathy of the world. By attempting to supply West Berlin with the necessities of life the Western Allies sought to emphasize the difference between the free and the enslaved Wolfgang. Adding the United States assumed the important role of a world superpower, this played a part in ideologising the Cold War.
3.3 Building Alliances
The Berlin Airlift seemed to unite the US and the Western European allies. It demonstrated the solidarity of the two sides and contributed to establishing the NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization based in following year.
- Conclusion
The Berlin Airlift is a critical event commonly featured in any discourse on Cold War history. It proved the writing of Western Allies to contain Soviet audacity and sustain indefatigable effort in besting it. Not only the existence of West Berlin had been safeguarded but also its symbolization of hope as well as liberty at a revolutionary time had been made possible by the successful operation. This historical episode as a story of international cooperation is a good message everyone should remember the constant fight for freedom as the Berlin Airlift was called.
