Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: The origins of the Cold War, 1941–58 - 2 The development of…
Full specification wording
Option P4: Key topic 1: The origins of the Cold War, 1941–58 - 2 The development of the Cold War: Berlin: its division into zones. The Berlin Crisis (blockade and airlift) of 1948-49 and its impact. The formation of the Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic.
Following WWII, Germany and its capital Berlin were divided into four administrative zones by the Allies.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Following WWII, Germany and its capital Berlin were divided into four administrative zones by the Allies. Tensions escalated when the Western powers introduced a new currency (the Deutschmark) in their zones, prompting Stalin to block all land and water access to West Berlin in June 1948. The USA and Britain responded with a massive airlift, flying in essential supplies like coal and food for nearly a year until Stalin lifted the blockade in May 1949. This crisis cemented the division of Germany, leading directly to the creation of the capitalist Federal Republic of Germany (West) in May 1949 and the communist German Democratic Republic (East) in October 1949, formalising the Cold War divide in Europe.
What earns the marks
- Identify the division of Germany and Berlin into four zones controlled by the USA, USSR, Britain, and France.
- Explain the triggers for the blockade, particularly the introduction of the Deutschmark in the Western zones.
- Describe the logistics and scale of the Berlin Airlift as the Western response to the Soviet blockade.
- Analyse the consequences of the crisis, specifically the formal division of Germany into the FRG and GDR.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that the Berlin Wall was built during the 1948-49 crisis.
Put it right: The Berlin Wall was constructed later, in 1961; the 1948 crisis involved a blockade of transport routes.
Confusing the acronyms for East and West Germany.
Put it right: Ensure you identify the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) as the West and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) as the East.
Claiming the USA used military force to break the blockade.
Put it right: The USA deliberately chose an airlift to supply the city peacefully and avoid triggering a hot war with the USSR.
Exam tips
- When explaining the importance of the Berlin Crisis, focus on how it accelerated the permanent division of Germany.
- Use specific details, such as the introduction of the new currency (Deutschmark), to explain why Stalin initiated the blockade.
- Link the formation of the FRG and GDR directly to the breakdown of trust caused by the blockade and airlift.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P4: Key topic 1: The origins of the Cold War, 1941–58 - 2 The development of the Cold War: Berlin: its division into zones. The Berlin Crisis (blockade and airlift) of 1948-49 and its impact. The formation of the Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the immediate cause of the Soviet blockade of West Berlin in 1948?
Listen
Following WWII, Germany and its capital Berlin were divided into four administrative zones by the Allies. Tensions escalated when the Western powers introduced a new currency (the Deutschmark) in their zones, prompting Stalin to block all land and water access to West Berlin in June 1948. The USA and Britain responded with a massive airlift, flying in essential supplies like coal and food for nearly a year until Stalin lifted the blockade in May 1949. This crisis cemented the division of Germany, leading directly to the creation of the capitalist Federal Republic of Germany (West) in May 1949 and the communist German Democratic Republic (East) in October 1949, formalising the Cold War divide in Europe. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the division of Germany and Berlin into four zones controlled by the USA, USSR, Britain, and France. Explain the triggers for the blockade, particularly the introduction of the Deutschmark in the Western zones. Describe the logistics and scale of the Berlin Airlift as the Western response to the Soviet blockade. Analyse the consequences of the crisis, specifically the formal division of Germany into the FRG and GDR. A common slip: Stating that the Berlin Wall was built during the 1948-49 crisis. Instead, The Berlin Wall was constructed later, in 1961; the 1948 crisis involved a blockade of transport routes. Exam tip: When explaining the importance of the Berlin Crisis, focus on how it accelerated the permanent division of Germany.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Berlin Airlift
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Blockade
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Federal Republic of Germany
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German Democratic Republic
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See every definition
- Berlin Airlift
- The response by the USA and Britain of flying essential supplies like coal and food into West Berlin for nearly a year until Stalin lifted the blockade.
- Blockade
- Stalin's blocking of all land and water access to West Berlin in June 1948, which was lifted in May 1949.
- Federal Republic of Germany
- The capitalist West German state created in May 1949 as a result of the crisis, which cemented the division of Germany.
- German Democratic Republic
- The communist East German state created in October 1949, formalising the Cold War divide in Europe.
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Test your understanding of Option P4: Key topic 1: The origins of the Cold War, 1941–58 - 2 The development of the Cold War: Berlin: its division into zones. The Berlin Crisis (blockade and airlift) of 1948-49 and its impact. The formation of the Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic.
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