What points are these cartoons making about Germany?

Who created these images?

Background to the crisis

• Only remaining democratic nation in eastern europe

• Elections due in May – communists feared they would do badly

• Communists staged a coup d’etat, took over the police force, other political parties removed from government

• Last remaining non-communist Jan Masaryk fell from a window…?

• President Benes was forced to resign to be replaced by Klement Gottwald

Czechoslovakian Crisis, 1948

Klement Gottwald

Vladimir Clementis

Spot the difference?

What does this picture tell you about life under the Soviet Union?

Hat

Impact of the Crisis

• What did this do to relations with the west?

• How did it play on feelings of guilt?

(Hint: think 1938…)

Berlin Blockade 1948-49

Questions

1. What were the two views of Germany’s future?

2. Why did Stalin want to force the allies out of Berlin?

3. What was the response by America, Britain and France to the blockade?

4. Consequences?

Germany’s Future

USA• JCS 1067

(Morgenthau Plan)

• Truman and 1947

USSR

Inevitably there were casualties. In July three American crew were the first killed when their C-47 transporter crashed. In all the operation cost the lives of 65 Germans, British and Americans.

Key Points

• NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (1949). No return to isolationism for America (11 countries signed initially)

• Stain forced to lift blockade• Soviets test first atomic bomb in August 1949• Creation of FDR (Federal Republic of Germany -

West)• Creation of GDR (German Democratic Republic

– East)

1949 1955