MAKING HISTORY How should Germany be treated after the war?
Differences arose among the Allied countries about how Germany should be treated. Soviet view
American and British view
The Soviet Union demanded huge reparations (compensation) from their zone in eastern Germany because they had suffered a great deal in the war.
Clash over a new currency
The Americans and British went ahead with their plan to revive the German economy. They launched a new currency – the Deutschmark – in their zones.
● The Soviet Union responded by cutting off road, rail and canal links to West Berlin on 24 June 1948.
● Power supplies that came from the Soviet zone were also cut off. ● The Berlin Blockade had begun.
How would the Americans and British help 2.5 million West Berliners to survive? Analysing Sources – Cartoons on the Berlin Blockade
Images Bear
Soviet star Flags Claws Trucks
Buildings Soviet star
The Americans and the British wanted to revive the German economy and establish a democratic government.
Soviet bear surrounding West Berlin – will it eat Berlin? Will it choke Berlin?
French, USA and British flags surrounded
Sharp, blood-red claws
The only way in was by air, but a road is represented here
A British cartoon showing the Western attitude to the Soviet blockade of Berlin
Is the message of this cartoon:
(i) the Soviet Union is a bully (ii) Berlin is barely surviving (iii) the USA and its allies look weak or (iv) any other message?
Is the purpose (the reason why it was published) of this cartoon:
(i) to frighten people about the Soviet Union (ii) to say the West should be doing more for Berlin (iii) to turn people against the Soviet Union (iv) or any other purpose?