The aftereffects of World War II were what shaped Cold War Germany. The post-war state of Germany was grim: housing had been destroyed, the economic infrastructure had largely collapsed and inflation was out of control. After its surrender, Germany was divided into four zones: American, French, British, and Soviet. Despite the differences of the Big Three- Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill- they agreed on some important matters. The old capital of Berlin was also divided into four zones, but Berlin itself remained deep inside of the Soviet zone. The Allies had many reasons for partitioning Germany. Overall, the purpose of dividing land up was to control Germany until a new government could be instated.

West Germany became a surprisingly stable western democracy. However, East Germany was established as a Stalin-style communist state. The East German government was formed into a centralized and di

It was a clever plan. If US tanks did try to ram the road-blocks or railway blocks, Stalin would see it as an act of war. However, the Americans were not prepared to give up or fall into the domino effect and escalade into war. Truman wanted to show that he was serious about his policy of containment. He wanted Berlin to be a symbol of freedom behind the Iron curtain. In response to this, the Allies instituted the Berlin Airlift on June 21, 1948, in order to provide West Berlin with food and fuel. West Berlin was supplied by a constant stream of airplanes bringing in everything from food and clothing to oil and building materials.

Stalin felt that the USA’s handling of Western Germany was provocative. He could do nothing about the reorganization of the Western zones, or the new currency, but he felt that he could stamp his authority on Berlin. It was deep in the Soviet zone and was linked to the Western zones of Germany by vital roads, railways and canals. In June 1948, Stalin blockaded all these supply lines, sealed off railroads and highways to the Western sector of Berlin, effectively cutting it off from the Western Allied sector of Germany., Stalin believed that this would force the Allies out of Berlin and make Berlin entirely dependant on the USSR.

By 1946 Stalin’s troops effectively controlled the Baltic States, Finland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Albania and Romania. With Communist governments established throughout Eastern Europe, Stalin gradually tightened his control in each country. The secret police imprisoned anyone who opposed Communist rule, or might oppose it at a later date.. Churchill described the border between the Soviet-controlled countries and the West as an iron curtain.

By May 1949, it was clear that the blockade of Berlin would not make the Western Allies give up Berlin, so Stalin reopened communications. They lost this confrontation for two reasons. First, the Russians had not yet acquired nuclear capabilities and therefore could not stage a larger offensive. Second, the Russians were in an extremely bad position in regard to foreign relations.

This new annexation caused the powers in Europ

Some topics in this essay:
East German, Western Germany, Berlin Berlin, United Nations, Marshall Plan, Truman Doctrine, East Germany, Europe Stalin, Eastern Europe, Europe Soviet, eastern europe, east germany, west germany, cold war, western powers, truman doctrine, usa ussr, west berlin, eastern europe soviet, war developed, war germany, cold war germany,