The Berlin Airlift

Germany was divided between the winners after WWII Germany was divided between the winners after WWII Berlin, the capital city, was also divided Berlin, the capital city, was also divided Berlin Russian Zone British Zone American Zone French Zone

Great Britain, France and the US later wanted to re-unite all of Germany Great Britain, France and the US later wanted to re-unite all of Germany The Soviets said, “Nyet!” The Soviets said, “Nyet!” So in the late 1940s, two countries emerged So in the late 1940s, two countries emerged Germany Berlin East Germany West Germany

Berlin was entirely inside the Soviet zone Berlin was also divided between East and West The Soviets were bothered by West Berlin being inside their territory The Soviets wanted this “island of freedom” out of East Germany Berlin W E West Germany East Germany

The Soviet Union decided to try to drive the west out of Berlin They cut off all road and rail access to West Berlin The world wondered what Truman would do

Truman refused to withdraw troops from West Berlin Truman refused to withdraw troops from West Berlin Airlifted food, fuel, supplies to West Berlin, 24 hours a day Airlifted food, fuel, supplies to West Berlin, 24 hours a day USSR gave in May 1949 USSR gave in May 1949