Which best describes the Berlin Airlift?
A. The effort to supply Berlin through the Soviet blockade
B. The evacuation of civilians from Berlin after World War II
C. The Soviet takeover of West Germany
O D. The German bombing raids on Britain during World War II
SUBMIT
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. The effort to supply Berlin through the Soviet blockade.
Explanation:
The Berlin Airlift was a significant event during the early years of the Cold War, occurring from June 1948 to May 1949. It was initiated in response to the Soviet Union’s blockade of West Berlin, which was intended to exert control over the city and force the Western Allies—namely the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—to abandon their post-World War II zones in Berlin.
After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupied zones, with Berlin, located deep within East Germany, also divided among the Allies. Tensions escalated as the Soviets aimed to consolidate their power in Eastern Europe and were particularly wary of the burgeoning economic recovery in West Germany, supported by the Marshall Plan. On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union imposed a blockade, cutting off all road, rail, and water access to West Berlin, effectively trapping the city’s 2.5 million residents.
In response, the Western Allies launched the Berlin Airlift, an ambitious operation involving massive air transport of food, fuel, and supplies to sustain the residents of West Berlin. Over the course of nearly a year, American and British aircraft flew over 200,000 flights, delivering more than 2.3 million tons of supplies, including essentials like food, coal, and medicine.
The airlift not only succeeded in keeping West Berlin supplied but also became a symbol of Western resolve against Soviet aggression. It ultimately led to the lifting of the blockade in May 1949, solidifying the division of Germany and contributing to the establishment of NATO in 1949, as well as setting the stage for further Cold War confrontations. The Berlin Airlift remains a pivotal moment in 20th-century history, illustrating the conflict between democratic Western nations and the communist Soviet regime.