Student Question
Why did the Soviets blockade West Berlin in 1948 and end it in 1949?
Quick answer:
The Soviets blockaded West Berlin in 1948 to prevent the Western powers from establishing West Germany as a united and independent country, especially after the introduction of a new currency by the West. The blockade ended in 1949 because the Berlin Airlift successfully supplied West Berlin, demonstrating that the blockade was ineffective. Recognizing this failure, the Soviets decided to lift the blockade.
The Berlin blockade was implemented because the Soviets did not want the West to move West Germany towards an existence as a united and independent country. The specific action that caused the blockade was the West's creation of a new currency that would be used by West Germany. It was because of the introduction of that currency that the blockade began.
The blockade ended because the Soviets decided that it was not going to work. The Berlin Airlift had clearly managed to overcome the blockade and keep West Berlin supplied. Given that fact, there was no point in continuing the blockade so the Soviets called it off.
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