1. THE BERLIN BLOCKADE AND AIRLIFT June 1948- May 1949

3. The background to the crisis 1948: USA, Britain, France join their 3 zones together 1948: USA, Britain, France join their 3 zones together Allies were planning to introduce new currency to aid recovery in their sector, including West Berlin Allies were planning to introduce new currency to aid recovery in their sector, including West Berlin Stalin did not want a prosperous Germany  saw it as a threat to the Soviet Union Stalin did not want a prosperous Germany  saw it as a threat to the Soviet Union On the 24 th June 1948 he closed all roads, canals and railways between the West of Germany and West Berlin – effectively cutting off West Berlin. On the 24 th June 1948 he closed all roads, canals and railways between the West of Germany and West Berlin – effectively cutting off West Berlin.

4. The background to the crisis Only the air corridors remained open for the allies to fly in supplies to the people of West Berlin Only the air corridors remained open for the allies to fly in supplies to the people of West Berlin A tense cold war crisis had begun…… A tense cold war crisis had begun……

5. Task: A diary of the blockade You are a 16 year old, living in West Berlin in 1948. Write a diary entry for 24 th June 1948: In this entry you should describe your feelings as you hear that your city has been cut off from the West. Why do you think Stalin has done this? Where are you going to get supplies of food and fuel from? What are your fears for the future if no-one intervenes to help West Berliners?

6. Entry 2: 26th December 1948 The blockade has been in force for over 6 months, how have the people of West Berlin survived? Describe the heroic exploits of the US and British pilots keeping the people fed and supplied during this time. How much longer can this go on for? How did you celebrate Christmas day? Explain your thoughts as you hear that one of your close friends has decided to go the East, enticed by the promise of extra rations. What do you think life will be like over there?

7. Entry 3: 5 th May 1949 You have just heard that Stalin has called off the blockade! Why do you think he has been forced to back down? Why do you feel that this has been a victory for the West? What was the human cost of keeping you alive over the past months?

8. Can you think of a suitable propaganda caption to accompany this photograph?

9. Why would this photograph not have been seen in East Berlin?

10. THE DIVISION OF GERMANY On the 23 rd May 1949 the three Western zones including West Berlin became known as the Federal Republic of Germany (WEST GERMANY) On the 23 rd May 1949 the three Western zones including West Berlin became known as the Federal Republic of Germany (WEST GERMANY) On the 5 th October the Soviet zone was renamed the German Democratic Republic (EAST GERMANY) On the 5 th October the Soviet zone was renamed the German Democratic Republic (EAST GERMANY) The division of Germany had become permanent The division of Germany had become permanent