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Significance Of Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade actually started in January 1947, with America and Britain joining their two zones in Berlin together to strengthen Germany’s economy and industry. They called their new zone Bizonia, and even introduced a new currency for it. |
The Soviet saw this as a threat to their influence in their zone. Also, they knew it would be damaging to their economy. So, the day after the currency was officially introduced, on June 24, the Russians stopped all traffic via road and rail into Berlin. They even cut off electrical power supply from East Berlin to West Berlin. And, this was the famous Berlin Blockade.
The aim of the blockade was for the Soviet to gain control over the entire city by supplying it with food and fuel at the request of the western powers. However, the Western Allies proved to be smart and started the Berlin Airlift which supplied their sector with all basic necessities. The Soviets were, thus, humiliated as they never thought this move would be possible by the Western Allies. They did try to intimidate the pilots by firing near them as they could not shoot them in the approved air space, but to no avail.
The Russians knew their blockade of Berlin had failed. So on May 4, 1949, they met with the other three powers, namely America, Britain and France. They came to an agreement and all restrictions forced upon traffic to and from Berlin were finally lifted on May 12, 1949. This day was declared a holiday as it saw the homecoming of refugees trapped in West Berlin along with the restoration of food and fuel supply.
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