Post-WWII Berlin Division and Blockade

Post-WWII Berlin Division

• Berlin, situated within East Germany, was divided into four occupation zones, one for each of the Allied powers (USA, UK, France, and USSR).
• This division reflected the agreement at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences to divide Germany into occupation zones.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift

• The Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in 1948-1949, in response to the introduction of a new currency in West Germany and unification of the Western zones.
• The USSR aimed to weaken Western influence by cutting off access to West Berlin.
• Allied countries responded with the Berlin Airlift, to supply West Berlin by air, circumventing the Soviet blockade.
• This event heightened Cold War tensions.

Creation of German States

• The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was formed in the Western zones, a democratic state supported by the USA and its allies.
• The German Democratic Republic (GDR) was established in the Soviet zone, a communist state.
• These developments entrenched Germany's division, leading to increased Cold War tensions and the East-West divide.

Berlin Refugee Crisis

• Post-WWII, Berlin was split between East and West.
• Thousands of East Germans fled to West Berlin, seeking refuge from Soviet control.
• This led to significant emigration and a "brain drain" – impacting the Soviet zone negatively.

Khrushchev's Berlin Ultimatum

• In 1958, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev issued an ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of Western powers from West Berlin.
• He threatened to sign a peace treaty with East Germany, which would effectively remove Western access.
• This created a significant international standoff and escalated Cold War tensions.

Cold War Summit Meetings

• Various summit meetings (Geneva 1959, Camp David 1959, Paris 1960, Vienna 1961) were conducted.
• These summits failed to achieve significant agreements and often exacerbated tensions between the USA and USSR.
• The Paris Summit was notably disrupted by the U-2 spy plane incident.

Construction of the Berlin Wall

• In 1961, backed by the USSR, the East German government erected the Berlin Wall.
• This wall physically divided East and West Berlin, symbolizing the ideological divide.
• The wall ended the refugee crisis but further fueled Cold War tensions, highlighting the oppressive nature of communism.

Kennedy's Visit to West Berlin

• In 1963, US President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin and gave the "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech.
• His visit affirmed the USA's support for West Berlin and strengthened morale in the face of Soviet aggression.
• Kennedy's speech highlighted the United State's commitment to defending democracy in Berlin.