Lesson 4: Berlin and the Berlin Airlift

Introduction

Important Icon In this lesson, we will discuss what led to the Berlin Airlift Important Icon

Focus Questions:

What were the causes for the Cold War?

The Berlin Airlift

Welcome Back!

Today, we will take a closer look at Berlin during this time period and the Berlin Airlift. 

In the summer of 1948, the Soviet Union began to prohibit movement in and out of Berlin in an effort to gain even more control. This violated the postwar agreements, and pushed many people in West Berlin to starvation. Supplies, including basic foods, were in short supply in postwar Europe, and many people relied on imported food for survival. 

When the Soviets cut off rail and road traffic into the entire city, President Truman initiated airplane flights to drop food and other needed supplies. This operation, called the Berlin Airlift, lasted well into 1949. The United States and British military, operating under stressful conditions, largely prevented mass starvation through daily food runs.

  In your journal:  Print the notes page and complete it as you go through the slides. If you do not have access to a printer, another option is to draw/write your notes page in your social studies journal.

Berlin, Germany Download Berlin, Germany

View the slideshow below to learn more about the Berlin Airlift.

 Interactive 

In your journal: Now, we will review some of the key terms you learned today. Throughout this unit, we will learn new words while adding to the key terms we have already learned. As you learn the words, continue to add to your vocabulary table you started in lesson 2. Add the new terms below while also studying the previous terms.

Times had gotten tense and many were wondering when relief from communism would come. 

 

 

   

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