Berlin

• Building of the Berlin War facts?

  • It ran through the centre of Berlin, cutting off the West
  • Buildings overlooking the wall were demolished or had their windows bricked up
  • It was originally made of barbed wire
  • Wire was replaced with a concrete wall
  • It was guarded by watch towers, guard dogs, search lights and more.
  • People tried to escape by tunnels, swimming the canal, hot air balloons, driving through, jumping out of windows
• What was the Berlin Airlift?

  • Stalin blocked all routes by land and rail to West Berlin to try and make the Allies give up all control of Berlin
  • No food or resources could get through the blockade
  • The West supplied resources through airlifts for 11 months
  • Soviets couldn't shut down the airlift without starting a war
  • West Berlin still suffered from shortages and rationing was introduced
  • Eventually, the routes to Berlin were opened again when the USSR realised their plan wasn't working
• Impact of Berlin on international relationships?

  • Kennedy was worried the Soviet’s would start a nuclear war if they intervened
  • Kennedy had promised Kruschev that he would remove his troops is the USSR did
  • The US felt that people in West Berlin were protected enough
  • The wall caused no standoffs with the US and USSR troops
  • It made USSR look weak
  • It intensified the arms race