"We refused to be forced out of the city of Berlin. We demonstrated to the people of Europe that we would act and act resolutely, when their freedom was threatened. Politically it brought the people of Western Europe closer to us. The Berlin blockade was a move to test our ability and our will to resist."
- Harry S. Truman
- Harry S. Truman
The Berlin Blockade, 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
- Russians block the transportation routes into Berlin
- Allies had to decide to give up Berlin or make other plans
- War was an option
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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)
- WARSAW Pact 1955
- Kept city alive simply by supplying it by air
- The people of West Berlin still remained to live in better living conditions that East Germany
- 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)
- WARSAW Pact 1955
- Kept city alive simply by supplying it by air
- The people of West Berlin still remained to live in better living conditions that East Germany
Summary
Beginning with currency reforms in West Germany, the Russian Military blocked off transportation routes through Berlin. USA chose to aid Berlin as they sent an aircraft every 15 minutes into the Berlin to supply the city with essential resources. This lead to the eventual forfeit by Russia some 15 months later. This came to be seen as a public relations victory and was an example of the USA's utilization of the Truman Doctrine and its purpose. The event also helped lead to the creation of NATO.