Write a narrative account analysing the key events of the Berlin Crisis, 1948–49 You may use the following in your answer: ● Stalin’s fears ● the Airlift. You must also use information of your own. (8 marks) In 1948 the Soviet leader, Stalin, became worried that the Soviet-occupied sector in East Berlin was being threatened by the actions of the Western powers. He was particularly concerned that the economic help being given to Western Germany such the Marshall Plan and the creation of Trizonia would be a threat to Soviet control. Stalin felt particularly threatened by the introduction of a new currency in Trizonia (the Deutschmark) in June 1948. As a direct response, on June 15 1948, the USSR sealed off land and supply routes to West Berlin in an attempt to force the West stop their economic aid and perhaps even handover West Berlin. This became known as the Berlin Blockade. However, in response to this the USA and Britain launched what became known as the Berlin Airlift. During the crisis planes delivering food and fuel landed in Berlin every minute to provide West Berliners with goods being blockaded. Stalin hoped that the USA and Britain might abandon the Airlift during the winter of 1948/49 but the pilots continued their dangerous mission. The Airlift continued for almost a year until June 1949 when its success led to the USSR abandoning the Blockade. Only 2% of West Berliners had moved to the East. As a result of the crisis West Berlin became seen as an important symbol of western power and influence and it encouraged the Western powers to consider supporting western Germany as an independent state. As a result of the Berlin Crisis, West Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany) was established in May 1949 and the Soviets responded in October 1949 by establishing East Germany (The German Democratic Republic). The crisis also led to the creation of NATO as a defensive alliance against Soviet aggression. Underline the links in this answer This answer would get full marks because: It sequences the events in the correct chronological order with a clear beginning, middle and end. It makes links and shows how each event leads onto the next. Accurate and relevant knowledge that is detailed and specific. Great use of key words and specialist terminology. Write a narrative account analysing the key events of the Prague Spring, 1968 You may use the following in your answer: ● Alexander Dubcek ● Soviet control You must also use information of your own. Alexander Dubcek became the new leader of Czechoslovakia in 1968. He wanted to carry out reforms which he called ‘socialism with a human face’. When he became leader, he introduced reforms which allowed free elections, freedom of speech and free trade with the west, although he did promise to remain in the Warsaw Pact. When Dubcek became leader there was a very low standard of living – Dubcek brought hope to the people when he introduced his reforms. Hearing the news of these reforms, Brezhnev was nervous. He knew that if he lost control of one satellite state, he could lose control of them all. In Czechoslovakia, people were loving this new way of life, they wanted more freedoms. Because of this, the other Warsaw Pact leaders grew anxious too – they did not want to lose their powers or their positions of control and if the people rebelled for more freedoms, that is what would happen. As a result, the Polish and East German leaders travelled to Moscow and spoke to Brezhnev. They asked for him to ensure Czechoslovakia stopped the reforms. So under the rules of the Warsaw Pact, 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia and Dubcek was taken to Moscow and jailed. In Czechoslovakia the reforms were withdrawn and any rebellions against this were crushed by the 500,000 troops. A new leader of Czechoslovakia was appointed (Husak) and he was a hardliner who kept Czechoslovakia under Soviet control. Brezhnev published the Brezhnev doctrine so he could justify his actions. As you read through this answer, underline the links it makes. Why is this a good answer? (And where does it show its qualities?) Fill in the Links! Write a narrative account analysing events in Cuba, 1959-62 Start: 1959 – revolution Middle: Bay of Pigs Middle: U2 pictures End: Crisis ended by Write a narrative account analysing the key events of the Hungarian Uprising, 1956 Start: Protests in Hungary Middle: Soviet invasion End: reaction to uprsising Write a narrative account analysing the key events of the Berlin Wall Crisis, 1958-62 Start: Refugee Crisis and Khrushchev’s ultimatum Middle: Building of the Wall End: Kennedy’s reaction and visit to Berlin Write a narrative account analysing the key events of Détente Start: SALT 1 Middle: Helsinki Accords End: SALT 2 Write a narrative account analysing the collapse of Soviet Control, 1988-91 Start: Gorbachev rejects Brezhnev Doctrine, 1988 Middle: Fall of the Berlin Wall End: End of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact .