Berlin Airlift-
Berlin was located in the Soviet side of the country. The Russians were concerned about the likelihood of Berlin being powerful and anti-soviet so they created a blockade of Berlin, hoping to starve the western powers of Berlin. This was carried out by soviets closing the highway connecting West Germany to Berlin using an excuse that it would be closed for “repairs”. Then they stopped road traffic from West Germany to Berlin using an excuse that it would be closed for “repairs”. Then they stopped road traffic from West to East and all rail traffic entering West Berlin. The allies decided to supply their section of Berlin from the air, cargo planes would deliver food, fuel, clothing, necessities, and goods to those in West Berlin this was called “Operation Vittles” or known by American military it was called the Berlin Airlift. This was supposed to be short-term operation but lasted for more than a year. US delivered 5,000 tons to 8,000 per day. The citizens of Berlin because so reliant on the cargo planes, it was complete trust that they would arrive everyday. By 1949 soviets realized the blockade in Berlin had failed. May 12, 1949 soviets took away the blockade, reopening roads canals, and railway routes into Western half of the city. Allies continued airlift till September just incase the blockade was put back into place. The blockade raised tensions, made the USSR look cruel and the US was presented as a hero. It also strengthened NATO altogether. Harry Truman was president at the time while we assisted Berlin in their Blockade issues.
Berlin was located in the Soviet side of the country. The Russians were concerned about the likelihood of Berlin being powerful and anti-soviet so they created a blockade of Berlin, hoping to starve the western powers of Berlin. This was carried out by soviets closing the highway connecting West Germany to Berlin using an excuse that it would be closed for “repairs”. Then they stopped road traffic from West Germany to Berlin using an excuse that it would be closed for “repairs”. Then they stopped road traffic from West to East and all rail traffic entering West Berlin. The allies decided to supply their section of Berlin from the air, cargo planes would deliver food, fuel, clothing, necessities, and goods to those in West Berlin this was called “Operation Vittles” or known by American military it was called the Berlin Airlift. This was supposed to be short-term operation but lasted for more than a year. US delivered 5,000 tons to 8,000 per day. The citizens of Berlin because so reliant on the cargo planes, it was complete trust that they would arrive everyday. By 1949 soviets realized the blockade in Berlin had failed. May 12, 1949 soviets took away the blockade, reopening roads canals, and railway routes into Western half of the city. Allies continued airlift till September just incase the blockade was put back into place. The blockade raised tensions, made the USSR look cruel and the US was presented as a hero. It also strengthened NATO altogether. Harry Truman was president at the time while we assisted Berlin in their Blockade issues.