Berlin Airlift

• What did the Western powers do in response to the blockade?


  They decided that supplies would be flown into West Berlin to prevent it being taken over by the Soviet Union and to prevent war between the superpowers
• What did the West risk if they ignored the blockade?


  War
• Why could the Soviet Union not shoot any Western planes down?


  It would be an act of war
• Years of the Berlin Airlift?


  June 1948 - May 1949
• Which countries were flying supplies into West Berlin?


  The USA and the UK
• How many tonnes were being flown into West Berlin a day?


  1000
• When was the Berlin Blockade lifted?


  9th May 1949
• What was built to accommodate the large volume of flights into West Berlin?

  Tegel Airport
• Why was the Berlin Airlift classed as victory for the West?


  • It humiliated the Soviet Union
  • It made the Allies seem strong
  • It discredited Stalin
• What was the impact of the Berlin Airlift on US-Soviet relations?


  USA:

  • Apr 1949 - NATO was created
  • May 1949 - Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was created

  USSR:

  • Oct 1949 - German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was created
  • Apr 1955 - Warsaw Pact created