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The Berlin Airlift

One of the most important events of the Cold War, the Berlin Airlift demonstrated the resolve of the United States and its allies to resist Soviet intimidation in Europe.

The Situation in West Berlin

In 1948, Berlin was the divided capital of a divided country. The eastern sector of the city was occupied by the Soviet Union and the three western sectors by the United States, Great Britain, and France. As wartime Allies, these nations had defeated Nazi Germany. In June 1948, following a dispute with the three western powers over currency reform, the Soviet Union established a blockade around Berlin. The capital was located deep within Soviet-controlled eastern Germany. By sealing off the roads linking Berlin to western Germany, the Soviets hoped they could force the Americans, British, and French to leave their sectors of the city.

Berlin's two and a half million inhabitants faced the prospect of privation and even starvation as their food and other supplies ran out. And President Truman faced a stark choice: either abandon the city to the Soviets or risk a military confrontation that could lead to World War III.

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International Reaction

There was a great deal of international reaction to the blockade of Berlin, much of it reflecting fear of the possibility of World War III. The communist bloc countries supported the Soviet Union blockade while the allies of the United States and Great Britain supported the airlift.

During the United Nations Security Council meeting on October 22, 1948, the representatives of Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, and Syria introduced a "neutral powers" resolution that proposed a number of measures aimed at ending the Berlin crisis.

M.L. Dahanukar, Sheriff of Bombay, issued a statement on November 6, 1948 that reiterated the views of most people, "Let us hope that the Russians will now co-operate with the Democracies in settling the question of the Berlin blockade."

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The President Decides

When the blockade of Berlin began, there were three possible ways to respond to the crisis. The first option was to withdraw and abandon West Berlin to the communists, but this option was quickly dismissed. The second option was to use ground forces to break the blockade, but the United States military was weakened after World War II by demobilization and redeployment, and the U.S. and Great Britain were unwilling and unable to commit to another armed conflict. The third option was to supply West Berliners by air.

After consulting with civilian and military advisers, President Truman determined that the United States would provide supplies to Berlin by using airplanes. In his July 19, 1948 diary entry, Truman wrote "I'd made the decision ten days ago to stay in Berlin." After consulting with civilian and military advisers, President Truman determined that the United States would provide supplies to Berlin by using airplanes. In his July 19, 1948 diary entry, Truman wrote "I'd made the decision ten days ago to stay in Berlin."

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Public Opinion

While most people applauded the use of the airlift to get around the blockade, public opinion diverged on how best to end the blockade. Some people felt that the United States and its allies should use the military to forcibly end the blockade. Others felt negotiation the best course to pursue, and wanted the controversy turned over to the United Nations. As the blockade dragged on, many feared another world war.

Being in the midst of the 1948 presidential campaign complicated matters for both Truman and his opponent, Thomas Dewey. Truman could not afford to lose votes of those who sought to end the conflict by negotiation. He also could not risk being accused of "losing" Berlin to the Soviets by agreeing to Soviet demands. The situation also put Dewey in an awkward position. He did not want to do anything that might upset negotiations or make the Soviets feel they could get a better deal if Dewey won the election. In the end, Dewey publicly came out in support of President Truman's actions regarding Berlin."

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Negotiation with the Soviet Union

"It was another 'proof of the pudding' that the Soviets were not going to live up to the Potsdam agreements or any other agreements."

   - Elbridge Durbrow Oral History Interview, May 31, 1973

Once President Truman and his advisors determined to fight the blockade with the airlift, ambassadors began negotiations with the Soviet Union. Negotiation proved challenging, especially as both sides viewed the other as the instigator of the problem. Ambassadors from the United States, France, and Great Britain personally met with Stalin to discuss plans for negotiations. While he agreed to negotiations, once they began, the Soviets backed away from their earlier agreements, and the situation went nowhere. In September, the United States submitted the issue to the United Nations. In the end, the success of the airlift brought an end to the blockade.

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