Introduction

The Cold War was a political and ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. One major event during this period was the Berlin Airlift, which took place from 1948 to 1949. In this blog post, we will explore the origins of the Cold War and how it led to the Berlin Airlift.

The Cold War

Cold War arose due to rivalry between the United States depicting capitalist West and the Soviet representing communism East. This situation was a world power rivalry because both superpowers had different political systems and different foreign policies.

Post-World War II Division

After the end of World War II, Germany was partitioned into four zones; the American, British, French and the Soviet zone. Similar to this division, Berlin that was the capital of Germany was situated far deep inside the Soviet occupied territory. This division led to such conflicts and competition amongst the powers.

The main global politics event the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

In 1947 then President of the United States Harry S. Truman embarked on a policy known as the Truman doctrine to check the spread of influence by the Soviet Union and support nations that communism threatened to engulf. The following year, in the same year 1948, the United States initiated the Marshall Plan, offered money aid for the reconstruction of Europe. What was obvious to Soviet leaders was that these actions were the efforts to export American power.

The Berlin Blockade

In 1948 the Soviet Union brought pressure to bear on West Berlin, sealing off rail, road, and water communication with the city. The goal was to make the West powers to relinquish their occupation of West Berlin and merge with East Berlin under Soviet supervision.

The Berlin Airlift

But to the surprise of the Western powers, the Soviets retaliated by surrounding the American and British held zone of West Berlin with an iron curtain the Berlin blockade began in 1948 The Berlin blockade was countered by the formation of an airlift mission by the US and its allies to supply food and other amenities to the besieged West Berlin. During June 1948 through May 1949 aircraft delivered food, fuel and other ‘plane drop necessities’ to the city saving it from falling to the Soviets and their attempts to take control. Such flights / over 200000 / were provided during this period.

The Outcome

The Berlin Airlift was a complete success for the western allies. Yes, war proved their resolve and willingness to fight, to protect the so cherished democratic rights and freedom. Finally on May 12, 1949 the Soviets lifted the blockade and east and west Berlin begun to regain normalcy in their relation.

Conclusion

The Berlin Airlift is part of the history of the Cold war. It depicted the US and its counterparts as daring in provoking the soviets. Brief knowledge of the configuration of the cold war and the events that went down in this fight is central in comprehending this fight.