June 1948
The Soviet Union began the Berlin Blockade, cutting West Berlin off from the
West. After the war, the Allies divided Germany into four zones, controlled by
the United States, France, Britain, and the Soviet Union, respectively. They
also partitioned Germany's capital, Berlin, even though it was located in the
Soviet occupation zone. The United States, France, and Britain, convinced that
cooperation with the Soviets was no longer possible, planned to set up an
independent West Germany, made up of their zones. The Soviets, perhaps hoping
to block this, cut off traffic to and from the U.S., French, and British zones
of Berlin. The United States began a vast airlift to keep West Berlin supplied
with food and fuel. The airlift continued until May 1949, when the Soviets
lifted the blockade. By then, West Germany had already been established.
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