Berlin Blockade Document Analysis

Document Analysis

1. What type of document is this? What is its purpose?      


     Source A and Source B are both government reports from the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) to President Truman. The purpose of the documents are to mention to the president the possible threat they could be facing from the Soviets and what options are available for them to take. 
 

2. When was it written? Why is that significant?  


     The documents were written on June 30, 1948. The date the documents were written is significant because the reports were written during the time of the events taking place between the Soviets and America. Source A, was written 2 days after the conference held in Karlshorst, between Russian officials and members of the German industrial committee. Source B, was written 7 days after the justice administration of the Soviet Zone issued a directive on the judicial measures to be taken in connection with currency reform.   


3. Who created the document? Who received the document?     
 
     The documents were created by the Director of Central Intelligence, R.H Hillenkoetter and were received by president Truman. 

4. Who is Marshal Sokolovsky?     
 
     Marshal Sokolovsky was a Russian official who led the other Russian officials at the conference in Karlshorst. Sokolovsky was the one who stated the three possibilities the Soviets could take in regards to the United States including; starting a war, lift travel restrictions in Berlin, or leave Berlin to the West.   


5. How did the CIA get information of the meeting between Marshal Sokolovsky and German members of the German industrial committee? 


      The CIA got their information of the meeting between Marshal Sokolovsky and German members of the German industrial committee from a spy, a trusted comrade to the United States who obtained information from the conference and reported it back to U.S officials.   
 
  

6. What were the three Soviet alternatives as they presented themselves when this document was written? What policy did the Soviets pursue over the course of the next nine months? Why?   


     The three Soviet alternatives as they presented themselves when this document was written were; to start a war with the U.S, lift travel restriction on Berlin, or leave Berlin entirely to the West, giving them the rail line. The Soviets knew war was impossible due to bad harvest prospects. They didn't want to lift travel restrictions on Berlin because they thought that would make the Russians loose control. Therefore, the Soviets figured the West could feed all of Berlin. Tulpanov, stated that 2,000 tons of food would be needed daily in order to feed the Germans in the Western sectors. 




7. Stalin stated in a speech on February 9, 1946, "he [Stalin] blamed the last war on 'capitalist monopolies' and warning that, since the same forces still operated, the USSR must treble the basic materials of national defense such as iron and steel, double coal and oil production, and to delay the manufacture of consumer goods until rearmament was complete." Who are the "capitalist monopolies?" How does this statement enlighten the Soviet viewpoint against the United States? Were the Allies justified in cancelling the shipments of German reparations to the Soviets at the end of World War II? Why did the Soviets rely so heavily on Germany for food and industry?        


     The "capitalist monopolies" are the enemies of Stalin; the U.S.A, Britain, and France. This statement enlightens the Soviet viewpoint against the United States because it exemplifies the  Soviet viewpoint that the United States was their enemy even though they were supposed Allies. The Allies were justified in cancelling the shipments of German reparations to the Soviets at the end of World War II because they were preventing war with the Soviet Union and reducing communist threat to the U.S. After the war, the Soviets needed iron, steel, coal, and oil to build up their troops and their defense. The soviets relied so heavily on Germany for food and industry because Germany was able to produce more amounts of food and supplies due to Germany's industrial advantages. They had industries that the Soviets didn't have, which made the Soviets rely on Germany for food and industry.      

The Berlin Blockade and Airlift

1. What is Source 37 (p. 75) saying about Josip Tito, leader of Yugoslavia?     

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.

Iron Curtain Separates Europe

1. What is your overall impression of Source 26 (p. 70) and use extracts from the source to support your view. (No fence sitting; you must choose one but not both)      

• a reasonable assessment of Stalin’s aims based on the facts
• an overreaction to Stalin’s actions based on fear of and prejudice towards the USSR?        

     My overall impression of Source 26 is that is was an overreaction to Stalin's actions based on fear of and prejudice towards the USSR. They are fearing the worst outcome, which is Stalin taking over the world, to scare people and make them even more anti-communist then they already are. They are exaggerating communist power by saying that because Stalin has taken control of Eastern Europe, he will eventually be able to take control of the whole world. 

  
2. Source 26 is a British source. Does it seem likely that similar documents were being produced by the American government?      

     It seems likely that similar documents were being produced by the American government because the United States and Britain shared similar views on communism and Stalin. They both believed communism was wrong and didn't trust Stalin. Also, the United States and Britain were very close allies, therefore, it would seem likely that their documents being produced about communism would hold similar views. 

3. Study Source 27 (p. 71) and make a list of three different actions that Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe. Explain how each factor helped.     

1. In Czechoslovakia, Communists banned any other party except Communism in 1948, making Czechoslovakia a Communist one-party state. This helped Communists achieve power in Eastern Europe because Czechoslovakia was now completely under Communist control. 

2. In Romania, Communists abolished the monarchy in 1947.This left Romania under Communist control with a Communist prime minister adding to their power in eastern Europe. 

3.  Communists imprisoned opposition politicians, and attack Church leaders in Hungary. This ensured Communist power in eastern Europe as Communism was able to become the largest single party.  

America Enters World War II

1. What impact did the outbreak of war in Europe have on U.S. foreign and defense policy?   

     When the war broke out in Europe, President Roosevelt asked Congress to increase spending for national defense. Although the United States wanted to stay out of the war, Nazi victories changed U.S thinking, and there was a boost for defense spending. Congress passed the nation's first peacetime military draft, called the Selective Training and Service Act. Under this law, 16 million men were registered. Of these, 1 million were to be drafted only to serve in the Western Hemisphere.
 
2. Why did Roosevelt take one “unneutral” step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941?    

     Roosevelt took one "unneutral" step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941 because he wanted to lend support to any country whose defense was vital to the United States. By late 1940, Britain had no more cash to spend. Roosevelt responded by suggesting a new plan that he called the lend-lease policy. Roosevelt thought this was the only sensible thing to do to prevent U.S involvement in the war. Roosevelt also began sending lend-lease supplies to the Soviet Union when Hitler broke his agreement with Stalin and invaded the Soviet Union.

3. Why was the Atlantic Charter important?   

     The Atlantic Charter was so important because it gave the United States and Britain collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation, and freedom of the seas. The Atlantic Charter became the basis of the "Declaration of the United Nations." The United Nations consisted of 26 nations who fought the Axis powers.
     

4. Why did the United States enter into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941?   

     The United States entered into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall of 1941 because a German submarine fired on the U.S destroyer Greer in the Atlantic. Roosevelt quickly responded by ordering the navy to shoot the German submarines on sight. Weeks later, an American merchant ship was sunk and a U-boat torpedoed the U.S. destroyer Kearny. Days later, German U-boats sank another U.S. destroyer, killing more than 100 sailors. As the death toll continued to rise, the Senate repealed the ban against arming merchant ships and a formal declaration of a full-scale war was inevitable.
 
5. How was oil a source of conflict between Japan and the United States?   

     Oil was such a source of conflict between Japan and the United States because Japan needed oil and the United States cut off trade with Japan. One Japan started taking over French military bases, The U.S protested a new act of aggression by cutting off trade with Japan. This included embargoed goods such as oil, which Japan could not live without. Without oil, Japan could not fuel their war machines. The leaders declared that Japan must either persuade the U.S to end its oil embargo or go to war.  
  
6. What problem would the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solve for Roosevelt? What new problems would it create?  

   The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solved the problem of isolationism for Roosevelt. Many who had formally been isolationists now supported an all-out American effort. After the surprise attack, many isolationists believed the only thing left to do was go to war. The attack on Pearl Harbor, however, created several new problems for the United States. The Japanese had killed 2,403 Americans with their surprise attack. The raid had sunk or damaged 21 ships, including 8 battleships, which was nearly the whole U.S Pacific fleet. More than 300 air crafts were severely damaged or destroyed which constituted greater damage than the U.S Navy suffered in World War 1. The surprise attack at Pearl Harbor sent the United States to war with Japan. After Congress approved of Roosevelt's request to rage war with Japan, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, officially bringing the U.S into World War 2.

Dictators Threaten World Peace

1. Why did the new democracies set up after World War I fail? (And yes, I am aware the answer is in the reading so make sure your answer is in your own words.)      

     The new democracies set up after World War 1 failed for many reasons. For one, the postwar years brought powerful dictators to rise who were driven by the belief in nationalism and the desire for territorial expansion. Another reason was the failure of the Treaty of Versailles which Germany found unfair. These problems overwhelmed the Weimar Republic and the peace settlement did not fulfill Wilson's hopes of a world "safe for democracy." Without democratic traditions, people turned to authoritarian leaders to solve their countries' problems. The new democracies collapsed the dictators were able to seize power.  

2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?     

     A totalitarian state is a country with a government that maintains complete control over its citizens. Individuals have no rights, and the government suppresses all opposition. By 1939, Joseph Stalin had established a totalitarian government. Stalin took control over everything and was determined to eliminate anyone who threatened his power, even his most faithful supporters. 


3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?     

     By 1921, Benito Mussolini had accomplished creating a fascist regime in Italy. In 1922, Mussolini marched on Rome with thousands of followers wearing black uniforms. Their uniforms gave them the name "black shirts" Once the important government officials, police, and  army sided with the fascist party, Mussolini was appointed head of the government. 

4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?      

     In the book Mein Kampf, Hitler set fourth the basic beliefs of the Nazism that became his plan of action for the Nazi party. Nazism is based on extreme nationalism. Hitler dreamed of uniting all German speaking people in a German Empire. He also wanted to enforce racial "purification" in Germany. Hitler believed in an Aryan race, preferably blue-eyed blonds. Hitler had a dislike for anyone who wasn't white, especially Jews. Another element of Nazism was national expansion. Hitler believed in order for Germany to thrive, they needed more land. 

5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?     

     Japan decided to invade the Chinese province of Manchuria with a surprise attack  in 1931. In Japan, nationalist military leaders were trying to take control of imperial Japan. They believed in the need for more land for a growing population, same as Hitler. In need of more land, Japan invaded Manchuria. Within several months, Japanese troops controlled the entire province. 

6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?     

     In 1936, a small group of Spanish army officers rebelled against the Spanish republic. Led by Francisco Franco, this became known as the Spanish Civil War. Fighting against Franco were the Americans. The Americans formed the Abraham Lincoln Battalion consisting of over 3,000 troops. Among these troops were African Americans still bitter about Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia. Franco, however, was backed by Hitler and Mussolini who sent troops, weapons, tanks, and fighter planes. Franco's victory in 1939 established him as the fascist leader of Spain.   

7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?     


     There were many factors that contributed to America's growing isolationism. Most Americans were alarmed by the international conflicts of the mid 1930's but believed they should stay out of it. Public outrage over a flood of books that argued that the United States had been dragged into World War 1, led to the creation of a congressional committee. The Nye committee made the controversy even worse by documenting large profits that banks and manufacturers made during the war. Americans because more determined than ever to avoid war. The Girl Scouts of America even changed the color of their uniforms to appear less militaristic.