How did Western countries respond to the Berlin Blockade?

Enhance your knowledge for the IGCSE History exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Prepare effectively for your test!

The Berlin Airlift was a significant response by Western countries to the Berlin Blockade, which began in June 1948. When the Soviet Union blocked all ground access to West Berlin in an attempt to force the Allies to abandon the city, the Western Allies, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, executed a massive and coordinated effort to supply West Berlin through air routes. This operation lasted almost a year, from June 1948 until September 1949, and involved hundreds of thousands of flights delivering essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine to the residents of West Berlin.

The success of the Berlin Airlift not only supplied West Berlin during a critical time of hardship but also served as a powerful symbol of Western resolve against Soviet aggression. It demonstrated a commitment to countering the Soviet Union's influence in Europe and solidified the divide between East and West, becoming an iconic moment in the early stages of the Cold War.

The other options presented do not align with the actual historical response to the blockade. Negotiating a peace treaty with the Soviets was not a viable option, as tensions were at an all-time high. Abandoning West Berlin would have been seen as a defeat for the Western Allies and would likely have encouraged further Soviet

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