The effect of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift, between 1948 to 1949 in the course of early Cold War had the following implications The effect of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift which occurred between 1948 to 1949 in the course of Early Cold War. In this blog, I will describe the primary consequences of this event and their post-impact implications.
1. Symptoms of Heightened Tensions of the Cold War
Although there were tension between western Allies and Soviet Union before, the Berlin Blockade and Airlift took east-west relations to new level in Cold War. In the post World War II, Germany was divided into the four zones of Occupation led by United Kingdom, United States, France and Soviet Union. Nevertheless, relations were worsened when the western partners embarked on supplying a new currency,The Deutschmark into west Germany in 1948 which was a threat to the soviet influence in the region.
The Soviet reaction was to surround West Berlin – the part of the divided city under the control of the western Allies – and seal off all its road, rail and trace links to West Germany. This move was to force the Western Allies to abandon West Berlin. Hoping to counteract this action the western Allies decided on the Berlin Airlift to bring supplies and residents to West Berlin the start of something quite extraordinary.
2. Success of the Berlin Airlift
In influence, The Berlin Airlift had the most in the lives of the civilians living in West Berlin, as well as, the determination of the members of the Western allies. For each of the 344 days of the blockade, aircraft airlifted food, coal, and medical supplies to West Berlin. Much of the airlift occurred during nonstop flying action: the planes landed at a rate of every few seconds.
In general, during the operation, it was possible to deliver 2.3 million tons of supplies to West Berlin, which saved the population of the city. The Berlin airlift gave a sign of a determination of the western allies to fight soviet aggression and defend freedom of West Berlin.
3. The merge of the east and west Germany
These events were particularly very crucial in making of east and west Germany as two different entity and reality. In reply to Soviet actions the Western Allies launched formation of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) in 1949. This created the West Germany a democratic country in the western zones of Germany, separated from the Soviet’s Germany Democratic Republic or East Germany.
The climax or the Berlin blockade and airlift provided a clear cut from communism to democracy that was visible and clear to the two halves of Germany during the cold war. It was to persist for several decades until the Germans were reunited in 1990.
4. Strengthening of NATO and the Warsaw Treaty Organization
They say that the Berlin Blockade also provided significant information about military alliances during the time of Cold War. The Western Allies reacted to the Soviet aggression through strengthening of cooperation format of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The USA, Canada, West European nations agreed to come together & pledged to defend against any further Soviet invasion in Europe.
Likewise, as West Germany joined NATO and brought into existence Federal Republic of Germany, Soviet Union established the Warsaw treaty system in 1955. Started by mirroring NATO, it was a group made up of the Soviet Union and the Eastern European countries to which it strongest ally.
5. Foreign Investments and Relations
The authors argue that the Berlin Blockade, and particularly the Airlift also paved way to the boosting of diplomatic measures aimed at ruling out hostilities between superpowers. The problems exposed the need to enhance contacts and cooperation between the United States of America, the USSR and other countries.
The very subsequent talks among the United States the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom led to the signing of the Four Power Agreement in 1971. This accord, established the post Second World War territorial status for Germany and promulgated improved cooperation concerning visa and movement, communication and to West Berlin.
Conclusion
It became very clear that the effects of the Berlin Blockade and the Airlift were long-term ones. As a result of the event it was not only the escalation of cold war between the super powers but also the isolation of the East and West Germany as two different entities. It strengthened both military relations and stressed diplomacy in relations between countries.
Berlin Airlift was one of the first significant acts proved by the western Allies that they were ready to do anything to protect democracy. This war has a great impact on the current world; it is a clear indication that joint efforts and struggling can surmount challenges.