What event in 1949 forced Stalin to realize the est was not going to abandon West Berlin as he had hoped?

A. the Marshal Plan
B. the establishment of the 38th parallel
C. the establishment of NATO
D. the Berlin Airlift**

Yes, D.

D. the Berlin Airlift**

Well, it turns out Stalin had a bit of a rude awakening when he realized that the West wasn't just going to abandon West Berlin like a half-eaten sandwich. Nope, they were determined to keep those Berliners well-fed and well-supplied. So, in 1949, when the Allies kicked off the Berlin Airlift, sending in tons and tons of supplies by air, Stalin had to face the fact that his plan wasn't going to work. It's kind of like when you try to prank someone by hiding their favorite snacks, but they're just too resourceful to fall for it. Poor Stalin, his sneaky plan got airlifted away.

The correct answer is D. the Berlin Airlift.

The correct answer is D. the Berlin Airlift. The Berlin Airlift, which took place from 1948 to 1949, was a major event during the Cold War. Following World War II, Germany was divided into four occupied zones, each controlled by one of the Allied powers: the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. The city of Berlin, located within the Soviet zone, was also divided into four sectors.

Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, had hoped that by imposing a blockade on West Berlin (which was under the control of the United States, Great Britain, and France), he could force the Western powers to abandon the city. However, instead of bowing to Soviet pressure, the West responded with the Berlin Airlift.

To understand why this event forced Stalin to realize that the West was not going to abandon West Berlin, it is important to understand the context. The Berlin Airlift involved the Western powers organizing a massive airlift operation to supply West Berlin with vital necessities, such as food, fuel, and other goods, using cargo planes. This was done to counteract the effects of the Soviet blockade, which aimed to cut off all land and water access to West Berlin.

The Berlin Airlift was in many ways a remarkable logistical feat, as it involved thousands of flights delivering supplies to the beleaguered city. This operation showcased the determination of the West to support West Berlin and demonstrated their unwillingness to be coerced by the Soviet Union.

As a result, Stalin realized that his plan to isolate and eventually control West Berlin was failing. The Berlin Airlift highlighted the resolute stance of the Western powers, indicating that they were willing to go to great lengths to protect their interests and the freedom of West Berlin. This event marked a turning point in the Cold War and set the stage for the division of Berlin into East and West by the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961.