Berlin Airlift Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Berlin Airlift - Essay ExampleThis study outlines thatthe divergence of views on the status of Berlin soon emerged. The Soviet northward considered the presence of the opposite three westbound nations only as a temporary occupation. As Joseph Stalin claimed, in scotch and administrative terms, the whole of Berlin belonged to the Soviet-occupied zone of Germany. On the other hand, the horse opera Powers asserted that the citizens of Berlin had the right to choose and determine the future.From this paper it is clear thatthe rift was further change given the difference in Soviet couplers and Western nations viewpoints regarding the economic recovery plan for Germany. The former believed that Germany should be incapacitated to launch another war since Stalin assumed that Germany on with Japan could once again be perils to Soviet Union by 1960s. On the contrary, the Western Powers, in particular the US, stressed that the post war reconstruction of Europe primarily depends on the rebuilding of German providence and industry.In line with the Western recovery plan, the unification of the Western-occupied sectors in Germany, dubbed as the marshal Plan, was announced on March 6, 1948. The three Western zones would be consolidated with an independent federal government.In this regard, the Soviet Union withdrew from the Allied Control Council administering over Berlin due to the perceived violation of the Potsdam Agreement by the Western Powers.... In this regard, the Soviet Union withdrew from the Allied Control Council administering over Berlin due to the perceived violation of the Potsdam Agreement by the Western Powers (Readers Companion to American History). Apparently, the country was divided into East Germany under the Soviet Union and West Germany under Western Power control. As such, Berlin was similarly divided.As a pre-requisite for the establishment of independence, the Western Powers called for the revival of the scrimping. During those times, the o nly active economy in West Germany was the black market. To push through with the Marshall Plan, the underground economy would have to be destroyed. The Western Powers believed that currency reform was the answer. (Botting)Currency ReformAs part of the proposed change in currency, a brand new currency, the Deutschemark, would replace the highly depreciated Reichsmark. The Deutschemark was set with a stable and universally accepted value. For the plan to succeed, the currency reform operation was carried out in finis secrecy. They deemed it crucial that no leak was generated for this would result to adverse international consequence. (Botting)When the new currency was announced in June 23, 1948, substantial economic recovery commenced in West Germany. The confidence in money was revived and economy normalized as traders abandoned the barter system and sold goods in exchange for cash. The shops were also filled with motley consumer goods which had not been sold legally for a long t ime. (Botting)Soviet ReactionThe introduction of the new currency proved to be unacceptable for the Soviet Union. In a meeting between Stalin and three Western