What was the Berlin blockade?

During the Cold War, Stalin cut off all road and rail traffic into West Berlin which was, at the time, occupied by the USA. This left 2 million Germans living in West Berlin isolated with only enough resources left for 6 weeks. Stalin believed this would stop the Western allies from providing for Berlin, making West Berlin entirely dependent on the USSR. However, Truman was not prepared to give up 2 million people to communism and thus supplies such as food, clothes and oil were airlifted into West Berlin for 10 months. As a result, only 2% of West Berliners moved to East Berlin, showing their loyalty to the capitalist ideology.

AK
Answered by Anya K. History tutor

2783 Views

See similar History GCSE tutors

Related History GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Am I expected to remember certain figures/dates for my exam?


Explain why relations between the USA and the USSR worsened in the years 1947-49? (12 marks)


How did Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party consolidate their power by 1934?


What are some of the key reasons for Hitlers rise to power?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning