The Berlin Blockade/ Airlift 1948
- Began with currency reforms in West Germany
- Russians block the transportation routes into Berlin
- Allies had to decide to give up Berlin or make other plans
- War was an option
The Berlin Airlift, 1948
- Instead the US decided on a massive airlift to supply the western half of the city
- One aircraft lands every two minutes for fifteen months
- It became a public relations victory and a show of US industrial might
- Example of the Truman Doctrine
- One cause for the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Summary: The Russian military creates a blockade, beginning with currency reforms in West Germany as well as blocking off transportation routes through Berlin. The United States helps Berlin by sending in many aircrafts to supply the city. Thus making democracy a better method as opposed to communism. The Truman Doctrine's was one of the causes of the formation of NATO.
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Quote: "I think that NATO is itself a war criminal."
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Subjunctive question: Would NATO been formed if the Berlin Airlift had not happened?
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