1. OGT bell ringer

2. The Cold War

3. The Berlin Crisis
In 1948 the United States, Great Britain and France announced that they were merging their zones in Germany.
The new nation was officially called the Federal Republic of Germany (a.k.a. West Germany)
The countries also agreed to merge their zones in Berlin.

4. The Soviet Response
decision to create West Germany made the Soviet Union very upset
In response the Soviet Union cut all road and rail traffic to West Berlin =
These actions came to be known as the Berlin Blockade.

5. Fear & Truman’s Response
The fear began to spread in Europe. If Berlin was lost to Communism then Western Europe was next.
Truman had a very tough decision. How do you keep West Berlin alive without provoking WWIII?
Decision: Berlin Airlift

6. Berlin Airlift
In June 1948 Truman ordered American planes to supply Berliners with anything they needed to survive.
For 11 months cargo planes supplied Berlin with food, medicine and coal.
2 million tons were transported.

7. Photos

8. Photos

11. Legacy of the Berlin Blockade
In May of 1948 Stalin decided to lift the Berlin Blockade.
The Berlin Airlift became a symbol of American determination to stand against and contain Communism.