Berlin Blockade
In 1946, at the culmination of World War II, four victorious allies stood together, unified. Three of these world powers, the United States, France, and Britain, were all governed by the ideals of capitalism and democracy. In contrast, the Soviet Union was the pinnacle of communist thought. The relationship of the Allies was based on a common interest in the post-war future of Germany. Soon it was apparent that the Soviet concept of post-war Germany differed from its peers. Two events concerning the German question proved to be essential in identifying the heightening tension between the Allies. In 1948 the Berlin Blockade marked the first true crisis of the Cold War. The Berlin Blockade marked the end of cooperative rule in Germany, and an extreme heightening in Cold War tensions. Secondly, in 1961 the Berlin Crisis, an extension of the prior circumstance, threatened to spark an international war. Lastly, blame must be assessed regarding these separate events. Historians of the Cold War are divided, in the most general sense, into two categories. The traditionalist view maintains that the Soviets carry the burden of guilt. Revisionists are reluctant to place blame on the Soviets alone. Rather, the Soviets were put in sit
The uniform concentration of the world powers coming out of World War II was no doubt focused on Germany. From the Soviet perspective, Germany was key for several reasons. Pragmatically, the weak Western border of the USSR relied on Germany for national security. Ideologically, Germany was an opportunity to increase the communist sphere. From the United States' perspective, supported by Britain and France, Germany was an integral aspect of the "containment" effort. The United States, during 1945-46 began taking measures to secure Germany's deteriorated post-war economy. By 1961, the East German problem of the mass emigration had reached its peak. East German President Walter Ulbricht informed his Soviet ally of the need for immediate action. The building of the Berlin Wall, separating the city into east and west, was the Soviet-East German solution. The Allied Control Council (ACC), established in 1945 at the Yalta Conference, was charged with the responsibility of governing Germany. The ACC consisted of the leaders of the four allied nations- France, United States, Soviet Union, and Great Britain. Later, at Potsdam, is was agreed that Germany was to be divided into four sections, each under the jurisdiction of one ally. Berlin was not to be included in any of these zones. Rather, Berlin was to be under the authority of an "Allied Kommandatura" which answered to the ACC. Furthermore, the newly formed ACC was to carry out the "five d's": demilitarization, denazification, de-industrialization, decentralization, and democratization. It was a priority to debilitate Germany's ability to be a threat to security. Decisions made by the ACC were to be unanimously agreed upon by the Counsel. "This design for the occupation of Germany, which presupposed trust and ha
Some common words found in the essay are:
Military Administration, Berlin Blockade, Soviet American, Marshal Solovsky, France Germany, West Germany, Germany Soviet, Decisions ACC, Berlin Crisis, Cold War, war ii, world war, world war ii, berlin blockade, cold war, west germany, britain france, berlin blockade marked, soviet union, eastern zone, military governor, mass emigration, united france britain, united britain france, building berlin wall,
Approximate Word count = 1197
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
