Question

What was the Berlin Airlift? How long did it last and how many flights were involved?

Answer 1

The short answer: the Berlin Airlift was the West's effort to supply West Berlin after the Soviets blockaded the city.

The long explanation on how we got there: By 1948, East and West Germany were divided between the allies. West Germany was split into zones of control under France, the UK, and the US. East Germany fell under Soviet control. But Berlin was in East Germany, too. Even so, the city was split up like the country - West Berlin to the West, East Berlin to the Soviets. Access to West Germany was along pre-determined routes through East Germany controlled and monitored by the Soviets.

The Soviets hoped that they would be able to capitalize on the post-war conditions in Germany to spread communism and extend their influence, but the Marshall Plan gave a serious advantage to the Allies that they didn't like. Over time, the Soviets began harassing shipments into East Germany bound for West Berlin with inspections, restrictions, and a host of other things to frustrate them. When the new Deutchmark was announced as part of the West's plan to revitalize their half of Germany, the Soviets (who wanted Germany to remain weak and dependent on them) finally had enough and closed the routes.

But the West rallied together and came up with the Berlin airlift since there was no rule preventing them from flying along the same route and were gambling that the Soviets wouldn't go so far as to shoot down the planes. They were right, and they managed to feed and supply West Berliners up through 1949 via 270,000 flights. After that, Stalin backed down.

Answer 2

That's what I thought. Thank you so much! c: