Discuss The Causes Of The Berlin Airlift

After World War II, a new war began called the Cold War, lasting until 1991. This was a series of proxy wars and events fought between the Soviet Union and the United States. It was a war fought over ideas, the ultimate clash between communism and capitalism. Many of these events were caused by the rift forged between the two sections of Berlin, East and West Berlin. The Berlin Airlift and the Berlin Wall were both attempts by the Soviets to change the political ownership of West Berlin. Germany and Berlin were split into four zones in June 1945. The United States, France, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union all got a zone, which eventually led to conflict. Berlin was located in the middle of the Soviet zone, but was split the same way the
East and West Berlin followed their countries ideals in each zone. But, the Soviets were unhappy with a capitalist society in their midst, and they plotted to rid Berlin of the Western Allies and take all of Berlin as their own.
One of the events caused by the rift in Berlin was the Berlin airlift. The Soviets were rankled by the capitalist society flourishing next to their meager communist society. They also were trying to stop the defection of many Eastern Europeans to West Berlin. So, they concocted a plan to force the Western Allies out of Berlin by use of siege. They blocked off the city and closed borders into West Berlin. The Western Allies began to run out of supplies and were forced to deliver supplies via aircraft. Led by General Curtis E. LeMay of the United
So, on August 12, 1961, the Soviets began to build the Berlin Wall. Originally made out of fence, it was soon replaced with bricks and guard towers. There were three checkpoints to go from East Berlin to West Berlin. Checkpoint Charlie, the first to be opened, was located in the US sector. It was soon followed by the opening of Checkpoints Alpha and Bravo in the British and French sectors. It was impossible to cross unless a person was given special clearance by the Soviets and the Western Allies. Very few people were allowed to cross, but many died trying. With the two walls, the soft sand to track footprints, the guard dogs, and the machine gun wielding guards, the wall was almost impossible to cross. But, many still tried daring and creative attempts including using a hot air balloon to cross, crashing into the wall at high speeds, and escaping through the sewers (Staff, 2009). The estimates of death mostly arrive at 171 deaths trying to get into West Berlin (Staff, 2009). But, people continued to try to get through to the prosperous West Berlin lifestyle waiting for them. In October 1961, there was a standoff between the Soviets and the US at Checkpoint Charlie. Both countries had their nuclear teams standing by, as the tanks stood off. A resolution was reached, and the threat was lessened. The Wall separated families and friends, and ruined