Codifying the Cold War

Soviet Objections to the Marshall Plan

The Berlin Crisis, 1948/49

            Factors prompting the blockade

            Consequences of the blockade       

 

Codifying the Cold War

 

Soviet Objections to the Marshall Plan

1.    Moscow did not want to alleviate what was perceived as an impeding economic crisis in the capitalist world

2.    Stalin’s priority at that time was to consolidate Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

3.    Moscow believed that post war instability in Western Europe was probably in its polical interest.

4.    Soviet participation in the Marshall Plan would have required divulgence of sensitive, economic data to the West

 

The Berlin Crisis of 1948-49

 

Factors Prompting the Soviet Blockade

 

Consequences of the Blockade

The Blockade accelerated the unification of Germany’s zones and led to promulgation of the FGR in May 1949. It cemented the military alliance between US and West European Countries and it emphasised the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons.