Berlin Blockade Document Analysis

1. What type of document is this? What is its purpose?      
These documents are memos or "Memorandum" to the president. The purpose of these memos are to inform the president of the situation in Berlin at the time. 
 2. When was it written? Why is that significant?     
 These documents were written on June 30th 1948. This is significant because this is prior to the Berlin airlift, when supplies were brought in to supply citizens of Berlin.
3. Who created the document? Who received the document?     
 The Document was created by the CSI, specifically Hillenkoetter and was received by the president of the united States.
4. Who is Marshal Sokolovsky?     
 Marshal Sokolovsky was the head of Russian officials, he also started the meeting that is being referred to in the document.
5. How did the CIA get information of the meeting between Marshal Sokolovsky and German members of the German industrial committee?      
 The CIA got this information from a trusted person/spy. This is known because there is no name given but the information is said to be true and reliable.
  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, life travel restrictions on Berlin or "leave entire Berlin to west, giving them the rail line." The policy the Soviets pursued over the course of the next nine months was to have Berlin become part of the Soviet's zone in order to keep it from the West, and the other three options, were not necessarily options that could be executed. 

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 were basically America and anyone who decided with along side with America. This viewpoint shows that Stalin believed we were basically taking over everything in an unfair way and that we were becoming this huge "monopoly" perhaps against the Soviets. The allies were justified in cancelling the shipments of German reparations to the soviets at the end of WWII because Stalin was trying to make all countries go communist, and he really needed Berlin in order to do so, so cutting off such things made it hard for him to take over Berlin, seeing as America was in the way. The soviets relied heavily on Germany for food and industry because of their geographic location, seeing as the Soviet Union was along side Germany, as well as other countries take over by Stalin and turned Commie.  

The Berlin Blockade and Airlift

1. What is Source 37 (p. 75) saying about Josip Tito, leader of Yugoslavia?     
Source 37 is implying that Tito has obviously accepted help from America in the form of money. This is implied because of the Americans dropping coins into the leader's hands. This source is also showing that Tito may have betrayed his country by accepting financial aid, because of his cloak, marking him as a betrayer.
2. Why do you think Stalin was so hostile to Tito?        
I believe Stalin was very hostile to Tito because he had accepted help from America. This obviously would've angered Stalin because this was putting the country into a higher economic state, meaning the country would be less in favor of communism. This also gave America an upper hand because the Marshall Plan was working, at least 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 is right next to a bunch of countries, whom were against The Soviet Union in WWII; therefore Stalin not sending in troops was a good idea on his part, because these surrounding countries easily could have pitched in to fight against Stalin's troops.
4. Read Source 40 (p. 77). What reasons did the Soviet Union give for cutting off West Berlin?       
The Soviet Union said that there was technical difficulties, this being the reason for cutting off West Berlin. They cut off electric supply and a "shortage of coal was given as a reason for this measure"
5. Why do you think the USA did not believe these were genuine reasons?           
The USA did not believe these were genuine reasons because in reality, America was in control of the west, as said by the reading, "He could do nothing about the reorganization of the western zones, or the new currency, but he felt that he could stamp his authority on Berlin" Perhaps he didn't want part of America's guidance to get supply from the Soviet Union.
6. How do Sources 41–43 differ in their interpretation of the blockade?            
These sources differ in their interpretation of the blockade by the different perspectives of each of the sources. For instance, source 41 seems as though it is a mediating source, the source is neither in favor of one side or the other. However source 42 is much more on America's side, saying that we were resisting so much, but source 43 was in favor of the Soviet Union stating that America's plans had been reduced due to the USSR. All three sources give a different interpretation of the blockade.
7.  Which do you think is the most useful source for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade?       
I believe both source 42 and 43 are most useful for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade because these two sources are from both the perspective of America and the Soviet Union. This would give the Historian a better view of how people felt on both sides of the blockade.
8.  Which source do you think gives the most reliable view of the blockade?     
I think source 40 gives the most reliable view of the blockade because it is by a historian, and is not from a view which believes one side was greater than the other, therefore giving a more fair view of the blockade from both sides. This source is less likely to be exaggerated as well, so it could be more accurate in that way too.