The division of Germany after World War II set the stage for decades of Cold War tension. Allied powers carved the country into occupation zones, leading to the creation of West and East Germany in 1949. These new states embodied opposing ideologies and economic systems.

The Berlin Crisis of 1948-1949 highlighted the growing rift between East and West. The Soviet blockade of West Berlin and the Western Allies' response with the Berlin Airlift intensified Cold War tensions and solidified Germany's division for years to come.

Occupation and Division of Germany

Post-War Agreements and Zones

• Potsdam Conference held in July-August 1945 determined Germany's fate after World War II
• Allied powers (US, UK, Soviet Union) agreed to divide Germany into four occupation zones
• Soviet zone encompassed eastern Germany controlled by the USSR
• Western zones included American, British, and French sectors in western Germany
• Each occupying power implemented different policies and systems in their respective zones

Establishment of Two German States

• Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) formed in 1949 from the American, British, and French zones
• German Democratic Republic (East Germany) established in 1949 in the Soviet zone
• West Germany adopted a democratic system with a market economy
• East Germany implemented a communist system with a centrally planned economy
• Berlin divided into four sectors mirroring the larger occupation zones

Leaders and Policies

Key Political Figures

• Konrad Adenauer served as the first Chancellor of West Germany from 1949 to 1963
  • Implemented policies of Western integration and economic reconstruction
  • Pursued reconciliation with Western European nations and the United States
• Walter Ulbricht led East Germany as First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party from 1950 to 1971
  • Oversaw the implementation of Soviet-style communism in East Germany
  • Promoted collectivization of agriculture and nationalization of industry

Economic Reforms and Tensions

• Currency reform introduced in West Germany in June 1948 replaced the Reichsmark with the Deutsche Mark
  • Aimed to combat inflation and stabilize the economy
  • Sparked tensions with the Soviet Union, leading to the Berlin Blockade
• East Germany maintained the old currency initially, later introducing its own version of the Deutsche Mark
• Economic disparities between East and West Germany grew, influencing migration patterns

Berlin Crisis

Soviet Blockade and Western Response

• Berlin Blockade imposed by the Soviet Union from June 1948 to May 1949
  • Blocked land and water access to West Berlin from West Germany
  • Attempted to force Western powers out of Berlin and gain control of the entire city
• Western allies responded with the Berlin Airlift to supply West Berlin
  • Transported food, fuel, and other necessities by air for nearly 11 months
  • Delivered over 2.3 million tons of supplies in 278,000 flights

Long-Term Consequences

• Berlin Airlift demonstrated Western resolve to maintain presence in Berlin
• Increased tensions between East and West, deepening the Cold War divide
• Solidified the division of Germany and Berlin for decades to come
• Boosted West German support for alignment with Western powers

Cold War Alliances

NATO Formation and Expansion

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established in 1949
  • Military alliance of Western nations led by the United States
  • Aimed to provide collective defense against Soviet expansion
• West Germany joined NATO in 1955, further integrating with the West
• NATO expanded to include other European nations throughout the Cold War

Warsaw Pact and Eastern Bloc

• Warsaw Pact formed in 1955 as a response to NATO
  • Military alliance of Eastern European communist states led by the Soviet Union
  • Included East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania
• Formalized the division of Europe into two opposing military blocs
• Served as a tool for Soviet control over its satellite states in Eastern Europe