What was the main effect of the Berlin Blockade?

The Berlin Blockade had far-reaching consequences, but one of the most significant effects was the initiation of the Berlin Airlift. This blockade, implemented by the Soviet Union in 1948, aimed to cut off all land and water routes to West Berlin, which was located deep within East German territory. In response, the Western Allies, primarily the United States and the United Kingdom, organized a massive airlift to supply West Berlin with food, fuel, and other essential goods.

For almost a year, aircrafts flew over the blockade, delivering necessities to the citizens of West Berlin. This operation exemplified the determination of the West to support a free Berlin and resist Soviet pressure. The airlift not only highlighted the stark division between East and West during the early years of the Cold War but also demonstrated the West's commitment to resisting Soviet influence in Europe.

The Berlin Airlift ultimately helped solidify the divide in Germany, contributing to the eventual formal separation into East and West Germany, but the primary and immediate response to the Berlin Blockade was indeed the airlift itself. This operation became a significant event in Cold War history, symbolizing the struggle for power and influence between the East and West.