did the united states help in the berlin airlift in any way? FOr the cold war debate, i want to say that the ussr is to blame because they were the agressors and the united states was just trying to help people in need
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Blockade
Yes, the United States played a major role in the Berlin Airlift during the Cold War. To support your argument for the debate, it is important to highlight the United States' role in providing aid and assistance to the people of Berlin.
Here's how you can explain it:
1. Contextualize the Berlin Airlift: Explain that the Berlin Airlift occurred after World War II when Germany was divided into four occupied zones, controlled by the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France. Berlin, located deep inside the Soviet zone, was also divided into four sectors.
2. Soviet Blockade of Berlin: Mention that tensions between the Soviet Union and Western allies escalated when the Soviets imposed a blockade on West Berlin in June 1948. They aimed to gain control of the entire city by preventing supplies from reaching the Western-occupied sectors.
3. US Response: Highlight the United States' immediate response. President Harry S. Truman ordered the initiation of the Berlin Airlift in June 1948, which involved airlifting essential supplies to the people of West Berlin.
4. Airlift Operations: Describe how the United States, along with its Allies, launched a massive airlift operation to deliver food, fuel, and other necessary resources to West Berlin. Over the course of the operation, known as Operation Vittles, U.S. aircraft were used to transport supplies to Berlin's Tempelhof and other airfields.
5. Scale of Assistance: Emphasize the scale of the operation. More than 277,000 flights were made, transporting around 2.3 million tons of supplies in total. This aid was crucial in sustaining the people of West Berlin during the blockade.
6. Humanitarian Motives: Highlight that the United States' primary objective was humanitarian. It aimed to alleviate the suffering caused by the Soviet blockade and ensure that the people of West Berlin had access to necessary provisions.
By outlining these points, you can build a strong argument for the United States' involvement in the Berlin Airlift and establish that they supported the people of Berlin during a time of crisis. Remember to balance your argument by acknowledging the broader geopolitical context and discussing other relevant factors in the debate.