The Berlin Blockade was initiated by Stalin to block supplies from West Germany to West Berlin. But why would Stalin want to do so?

1. The Containment Policies introduced by the US made Stalin feel threatened that the US was launching an anti-communist campaign against the USSR. Stalin had seen the Marshall Plan as an attempt by the USA to dominate Western Europe with their money and this made him determined to control Eastern Europe with his military might.

2. After World War 2, Germany and Berlin were split into 4 zones of occupation, one of each controlled by the USA, Britain, France and the USSR. In 1948, the USA, Britain and French zones merged to form West Germany and the same occurred in Berlin. With the aid of the Marshall Plan, West Germany began to recover, unlike East Germany, which is still suffering the effects of poverty and starvation. This led to many East Germans moving over to West Germany as West Germany seemed much more attractive. Stalin felt even more threatened as to him, it seemed as though the Allies are building up a force in West Germany to attack him.

3. In the process of reviving the German economy, the Allies introduced a new currency in West Germany as the previous German marks had become valueless. However, to Stalin, the currency reform would mean that West Germany would become a strong power, threatening the Soviet foothold on East Germany. Thus, by introducing the new currency, Stalin retaliated by cutting all land communication lines between West Berlin and West Germany. All road and rail connections from Berlin to West Germany was closed as well and thus, the Berlin Blockade begun.

-Edwin

The Berlin Blockade was initiated by Stalin to block supplies from West Germany to West Berlin. But why would Stalin want to do so?

1. The Containment Policies introduced by the US made Stalin feel threatened that the US was launching an anti-communist campaign against the USSR. Stalin had seen the Marshall Plan as an attempt by the USA to dominate Western Europe with their money and this made him determined to control Eastern Europe with his military might.

2. After World War 2, Germany and Berlin were split into 4 zones of occupation, one of each controlled by the USA, Britain, France and the USSR. In 1948, the USA, Britain and French zones merged to form West Germany and the same occurred in Berlin. With the aid of the Marshall Plan, West Germany began to recover, unlike East Germany, which is still suffering the effects of poverty and starvation. This led to many East Germans moving over to West Germany as West Germany seemed much more attractive. Stalin felt even more threatened as to him, it seemed as though the Allies are building up a force in West Germany to attack him.

3. In the process of reviving the German economy, the Allies introduced a new currency in West Germany as the previous German marks had become valueless. However, to Stalin, the currency reform would mean that West Germany would become a strong power, threatening the Soviet foothold on East Germany. Thus, by introducing the new currency, Stalin retaliated by cutting all land communication lines between West Berlin and West Germany. All road and rail connections from Berlin to West Germany was closed as well and thus, the Berlin Blockade begun.

-Edwin