Question

Consider the writing prompt. "Explain the factors that led to the Berlin Airlift. Which evidence would be most useful in addressing the topic laid out by the prompt?

Answer 1

Answer:

The factors that led to the Berlin Blockade were a combination of economic and ideological conflicts. On the one hand, the existing and growing rivalry between the Soviet Union and the democratic allies (America, Britain and France) in ideological terms, with the rivalry between communism and capitalism, fueled a constant state of tension and dispute between the two Germanies. To this was added the recent monetary reform carried out in West Berlin, which accompanied the adoption of the Mark in West Germany. This currency was much stronger than the East German currency, so the Soviet authorities feared that it might produce a kind of de facto economic control by the West over East Germany.

These factors made the Soviet authorities decide to close its borders with West Germany, practically closing West Berlin and economically isolating it from the rest of the world, in an event that is known as the Berlin Blockade.