AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Germany, 1871–1991 – only) The Nazi experiment, 1929–1949 (A-level only):…
Full specification wording
1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991 – only) The Nazi experiment, 1929–1949 (A-level only): Political authority and government 1945–1949: post-war occupation and division; the issue of Berlin and the blockade; the division of Germany
From 1945 to 1949, Germany's political authority shifted from Nazi rule to Allied military occupation, ending in formal division.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 6
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
From 1945 to 1949, Germany's political authority shifted from Nazi rule to Allied military occupation, ending in formal division. At Potsdam, Germany and Berlin were split into four zones run by the USA, USSR, Britain, and France. Disagreements over reparations and political control caused the Western zones to merge into Trizonia. The introduction of the Deutsche Mark in the West provoked the 1948 Berlin Blockade, as Stalin tried to force the Western Allies out. The successful Allied airlift defeated the blockade and accelerated the permanent division of Germany. Consequently, 1949 saw the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in the West and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the East, cementing the Cold War divide.
What earns the marks
- Assess the impact of the Potsdam Conference on the initial post-war occupation and administration of Germany.
- Evaluate the causes of the Berlin Blockade, including currency reform and ideological differences between the Allies.
- Analyse the significance of the Berlin Airlift in demonstrating Western commitment and escalating Cold War tensions.
- Explain the process leading to the formal division of Germany into the FRG and GDR in 1949.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that Germany was divided into two countries immediately in 1945.
Put it right by explaining the initial four-power occupation zones before the 1949 division.
Confusing the Berlin Wall with the Berlin Blockade.
Put it right by specifying that the Blockade occurred in 1948-1949 using a transport embargo, whereas the Wall was built in 1961.
Claiming the USSR initiated the division of Germany.
Put it right by noting that Western actions, such as creating Bizonia and introducing the Deutsche Mark, also drove the division.
Exam tips
- Link the economic disagreements between the occupying powers directly to the political division of Germany.
- Use the Berlin Blockade as a key turning point when evaluating the breakdown of the Grand Alliance.
- Ensure you can distinguish between the administration of Germany as a whole and the specific, unique status of Berlin deep within the Soviet zone.
Try the lesson
The start of the 1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991 – only) The Nazi experiment, 1929–1949 (A-level only): Political authority and government 1945–1949: post-war occupation and division; the issue of Berlin and the blockade; the division of Germany lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the primary trigger for the Soviet Union initiating the Berlin Blockade in June 1948?
Listen
From 1945 to 1949, Germany's political authority shifted from Nazi rule to Allied military occupation, ending in formal division. At Potsdam, Germany and Berlin were split into four zones run by the USA, USSR, Britain, and France. Disagreements over reparations and political control caused the Western zones to merge into Trizonia. The introduction of the Deutsche Mark in the West provoked the 1948 Berlin Blockade, as Stalin tried to force the Western Allies out. The successful Allied airlift defeated the blockade and accelerated the permanent division of Germany. Consequently, 1949 saw the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in the West and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the East, cementing the Cold War divide. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Assess the impact of the Potsdam Conference on the initial post-war occupation and administration of Germany. Evaluate the causes of the Berlin Blockade, including currency reform and ideological differences between the Allies. Analyse the significance of the Berlin Airlift in demonstrating Western commitment and escalating Cold War tensions. Explain the process leading to the formal division of Germany into the FRG and GDR in 1949. A common slip: Stating that Germany was divided into two countries immediately in 1945. Instead, explaining the initial four-power occupation zones before the 1949 division. Exam tip: Link the economic disagreements between the occupying powers directly to the political division of Germany.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Potsdam Conference splits Germany and Berlin into four zones
- 2. Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic created
- 3. Berlin Blockade begins after Western currency reform
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Cold War tensions
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Political authority and administration
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Ideological conflict
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Cold War tensions
- Tensions that escalated as the Berlin Airlift demonstrated Western commitment, cementing the Cold War divide.
- Political authority and administration
- Control that shifted from Nazi rule to Allied military occupation, with Germany and Berlin split into four zones run by the USA, USSR, Britain and France.
- Ideological conflict
- Differences between the Allies that, alongside currency reform, helped cause the Berlin Blockade.
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