Jake Caron's List: Berlin Blockade

• The blockade of Berlin was the first serious crisis of the Cold War. By 1948, the Western allies began moving towards consolidating their occupation zones in Western Germany into a single independent German state. As part of that process, the U.S., France and Britain took steps to reform the currency in the parts of Germany they occupied, in order to promote economic recovery. The new currency, over which the Soviets would have no control, was also to become legal tender in the Western sectors of Berlin. 
  

  • Paraphrase:
    
    The Berlin Blockade was the first serious crisis of the Cold War. In 1948 the Western allies started moving towards strengthening their zones in Western Germany so it would create a single independent German sate. US, France, and Britain started taking steps into creating a new currency in the allied controlled Germany. They did this to promote Germanys economy to recover.

  • Citation:
    American Experience . Race for the Superbomb . Berlin Blockade | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Ed. Paul Taylor. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bomb/peopleevents/pandeAMEX49.html>.

• The goal was simple. By blocking the supply routes, access by westerners to Berlin would be impossible. Stalin’s objective was to make the Berliners succumb to the pressure.

   

  With the blockade, the United States and her allies would have no choice but to let the Soviet Union supply the food and fuel to the entire city. This would give Stalin total control of Berlin. As the focal point of Central Europe, it would be a remarkable triumph.
• In time the Berlin Airlift was sending over 650 tons of flour, 120 tons of cereal and 100 tons of meat daily. 200 tons of potatoes, 200 tons of sugar and 11 tons of coffee were added. Tons of cheese, milk, vegetables and salt were sent.
• By 1949, over 8,000 tons were being delivered to the city and it was in fact exceeding the supplies provided by the railway the Soviets blocked. In spite of harassment, the planes were able to send the supplies regularly.

• On May 12 1949, the Soviets decided to lift the blockade. It was a clear victory for the Western allies. Although the Berlin Airlift didn’t actually end the conflict, it was able to provide relief for thousands of people.

    

   

   

  • Citation:
    "Was the Berlin Airlift Important?" Was the Berlin Airlift Important? Google. Web. <http://www.whyguides.com/why-was-the-berlin-airlift-important.html>.

  • In time the Berlin Airlift was sending over 650 tons of flour, 120 tons of cereal and 100 tons of meat daily. 200 tons of potatoes, 200 tons of sugar and 11 tons of coffee were added. Tons of cheese, milk, vegetables and salt were sent.

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• To counter the blockade, the western powers organized and airlifted a total of 2,326,406 tons of food, coal, passengers, and other items into the city in a total of 278,228 flights. The mission nicknamed “Operation Vittles” by the United States and “Plain Fare” by the British, was a success. The Soviets did not respond to the airlift by trying to stop it, mainly because they believed that they would have failed or triggered a war. At the height of the airlift, planes flew around the clock in four hour blocks taking off and landing every 90 seconds. At any given time there were thirty-two aircraft in the air.

  • Citation:
    The 40's. n.d. Web. 24 February 2011. <http://www.coldwar.org/articles/40s/index.asp>.

  • The Berlin Airlift, also known as Operation Vittles was a complete success! Planes flew around the clock in four hour blocks with 2,326,406 tons of food, coal, passengers and other items They took off and landed every 90 seconds! At any given time there were thirty-two aircraft's in the air.
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  • • The Berlin Airlift, also known as Operation Vittles was a complete success, planes flew around the clock in four hour blocks. They took off and landed every 90 seconds! At any given time there were thirty-two aircraft's in the air.

    • The 40's. n.d. Web. 24 February 2011. <http://www.coldwar.org/articles/40s/index.asp>.

• • Quote: Do not Pray for easy lives. Pray to be Stronger Men.
    
    
• Do Not Pray for Easy Lives. Pray to Be Stronger Men.

  • Citation:
    "Do Not Pray for Easy Lives. Pray to Be Stronger Men." Bible or Not. Oct. 2008. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. <http://www.bibleornot.org/do-not-pray-for-easy-lives-pray-to-be-stronger-men/>.