One of the first major international crises. Post WWII Germany, Soviet Union blocked Western Berlin’s railroads, road, and canal access. Soviet Union’s goal was to force western powers to allow the Soviets to supply Berlin with food, gas, and aid. Thus having the Soviets basically controlling the city. In response the Western allies organized The Berlin Airlift to carry supplies into West Berlin. Aircrews from the USA, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa flew over 200,000 flights in one year, providing 4,700 tons of necessities daily. At the end of WWII the allied powers divided Germany into four zones after they had lost the war. The Soviet Union’s part of Germany (West Berlin) had been separated by a wall called The Berlin Wall. It was then taken down in 1989. |