The Berlin crises 1948-1949

The author analyses the origins and the development of the Berlin crisis of the 1948 - 1949 years. From Soviet perspective, the blockade of Western Berlin was a legitimate response to the West's unilateral decision to unify the three western occupation zones and to move toward establishing a West German government. On June 25, the day after the blockade went into effect, British and U.S. military leaders began airlifts to supply West Berlin. The airlift provided a huge victory for the West in the battle for German public opinion. By the winter of 1948-1949, Stalin realized that the airlift was helping the West more than the blockade was hurting it. After U.S. - Soviet secret discussions there was an announcement on May 5 that the blockade would be lifted on May 12 and that a Council of Foreign Ministers meeting on German problem would convene in Paris two weeks later.