Source 37 is depicting Josip Tito as a traitor to the Communist party. He is shown accepting money from the U.S through the American policy of Marshall Aid, which Stalin was against. He is depicted wearing a cloak labeled Judas, who was famously known for betraying Jesus.
2. Why do you think Stalin was so hostile to Tito?
Stalin was so hostile to Tito because Yugoslavia was the only country who refused to follow Stalin's direction and resist aid from the United States. Therefore, Tito loosened Stalin's control over Yugoslavia, focusing Stalin's attention on making sure other countries didn't follow Tito's path. Stalin kept up an ongoing propaganda war with Tito.
3. Look back at the map in Source 27 on page 71. How does the geographical position of Yugoslavia help to explain why Stalin did not take any direct action (such as sending in troops) against Tito?
The geographical position of Yugoslavia helps to explain why Stalin did not take any direct action such as sending in troops against Tito. Yugoslavia is on the far edge of the European countries and is far away from the Soviet Union. Also, Greece is boarding Yugoslavia and Stalin knew Greece was being protected from both Britain and the United States, therefore, he didn't want to risk getting into a conflict.
4. Read Source 40 (p. 77). What reasons did the Soviet Union give for cutting off West Berlin?
The Soviet Union stated that technical difficulties made them cut off West Berlin. They also stated that there was a shortage of coal, therefore, they needed to disrupt electrical power from Soviet power plants to the Western sectors.
5. Why do you think the USA did not believe these were genuine reasons?
The USA did not believe these were genuine reasons because they knew Stalin was trying to gain control of the Eastern European countries without completely breaking their alliance with the US. They saw Berlin as a test case and were not willing to give up. They knew a coal shortage was just an excuse and not a genuine reason for cutting off supplies and food for 2 million people. The United States knew this was just one of Stalin's plans to make Berlin entirely dependent on the Soviets.
6. How do Sources 41–43 differ in their interpretation of the blockade?
Source 41 states that neither side gained any advantage from the blockade. The Soviets did not gain control of Berlin, and the West had no guarantees that there would not be another blockade. Historian Jack Watson states that the blockage only made both sides more stubborn. Source 42 demonstrates the commitment the US had in Berlin refusing to leave the city. Truman states how the Truman Doctrine brought the people of Western Europe closer to the US politically. Truman says that the blockade was a test of US ability to resist communism. However, Source 43 states that the US planned to help Berlin to as a war plan against communism. Source 43 says that the United States were forced to yelid at Berlin because of the conduct of the U.S.S.R.
7. Which do you think is the most useful source for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade?
I think the most useful source for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade is Source 41. Source 41 is most useful because it is written by a historian who is retelling the outcome of the blockage without taking a side. The other two sources are either from the Soviet view of the American view, therefore, the two sources could be a little biased favoring their side.
8. Which source do you think gives the most reliable view of the blockade?
I think Source 41 gives the most reliable view of the blockade because it isn't favoring either side, only stating the facts and the outcome of the blockage. Neither side gained any advantage from the blockage. Both Source 42 and 43 could be limited because they are written from either the Soviet or American view. Truman is trying to make the Untied States sound superior to the Soviet Union while Source 43 is trying to make the US sound weak saying that they were forced to yield at Berlin due to actions taken by the Soviets. Source 44 gives you a picture of American aid to Berlin but it could be staged to make the US look better. Overall, I think Source 41 gives the most reliable view of the blockade since it is written by a historian who isn't taking sides.
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