1945 1948 Germany is divided and controlled by

1945 -1948 Germany is divided and controlled by Allies post-WWII.

End of occupation While three allied areas reunited and formed Democratic West Germany, Stalin formed his area into Communist East Germany.

The capital city of Berlin was also occupied and divided; it was located within the east.

Berlin Airlift • To take over West Berlin, Stalin blocked land access. • Truman authorized the Berlin Airlift. • U. S. and Britain flew two million tons of supplies into West Berlin for nearly a year.

West Berlin Airlift • Effect: West Berlin stayed out of Stalin’s control and continued to be the capital of West Germany. • West Berlin became “an island of democracy in the sea of Communism. ”

Berlin Wall Rise of the wall: • Construction of the wall began overnight in 1961. Before this, over 2. 5 million people from East Berlin escaped to West Berlin between 1949 and 1960. • The wall was to keep East Berliners from escaping into West Berlin. Other walls and security areas were built at country borders as well.

Berlin Wall • Over the years, the wall became much more complex. Escaping East Berlin/East Germany became very difficult and dangerous. • Many families were separated until the wall came down almost 30 years later. • The wall became a symbol for the Cold War.

Berlin Wall

Important Communist Leaders In 1943, Mao Zedong became Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party. He took over as dictator of China in 1949. In 1948, North Korea came communist rule when Kim il Sung took over. Fidel Castro took over Cuba in 1959 when he led a Communist-inspired revolt. **Cuba was the first communist country in the western hemisphere, and closest to the US

“Mc. Carthyism” – Red Scare • Senator Mc. Carthy encouraged the “Red Scare” (fear of communism spreading in the U. S. ) by announcing he had a list of government employees who were part of the Communist Party (without much facts or evidence) in 1954. • Mc. Carthy was put on trial, ending his career and reputation.

Government role in fear of communism • Truman ordered “loyalty checks” on government workers; many were forced to resign. • House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) : this government agency was formed to investigate suspected communists. • Targeted the movie industry • Many people were “blacklisted” • Fear spread even further