Steps to the Cold War 1948. This American film report shows footage of the steps to the Cold War in 1948. Film length 04:30. A licence fee of 9 times 30 seconds is charged to purchase a licence for the complete contribution.
Steps towards the Cold War 1948
Description
Steps towards the Cold War 1948
Historical background
1948 was a pivotal year in the Cold War, with several important events that heightened tensions between the superpowers. Here are some of the most important steps in 1948:
Berlin Blockade (June 1948 – May 1949): The Soviet blockade of West Berlin was one of the first major crises of the Cold War. The Soviet Union blocked the road and rail routes to West Berlin in order to force the Western Allies (USA, Great Britain, France) to give up their zones of occupation. The Western powers responded with an airlift to supply the population of West Berlin with food and other essential goods.
Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany (May 1949): In response to the Berlin Blockade, the Western occupying powers founded the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in their zones of occupation. This was an important step towards the creation of a West German government and the consolidation of the Western sphere of influence in Europe.
Foundation of the German Democratic Republic (October 1949): The Soviet occupation zone in Germany was declared the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This led to the division of Germany into two states, with the FRG entering into a Western alliance, while the GDR was closely tied to the Soviet Union.
Foundation of NATO (April 1949): The establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was an important step towards creating a military alliance between the Western democracies. NATO was to serve as a deterrent against potential Soviet aggression and ensure the defence of the Western states.
Foundation of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (January 1949): The Soviet Union established the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA), also known as Comecon, as a counterpart to the Marshall Plan and to promote economic co-operation between the communist countries of Eastern Europe.
These events in 1948 played a key role in shaping the geopolitical landscape during the Cold War and laid the foundations for the confrontation between the superpowers USA and the Soviet Union and their respective allies.
