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Blockade begun by Soviets: June 24, 1948;

Airlift begun by U.S. Air Forces: June 28, 1948

Both ended:  May 12, 1949

 

Scope:

·      277,804 flights

·     2,325,809 Tons of food/supplies delivered

 

Impact:

·      April 4, 1949: U.S., Canada, ten Western European nations sign North Atlantic Treaty creating NATO

·      May 12, 1949: Western Allies agree to establish Federal Republic of Germany

·     July 21, 1949: Senate ratifies NATO treaty, 82-13.

 

“One of the most brilliant achievements of the postwar era”

 

Source: David McCullough, Truman (NY: Simon and Schuster, 1992): 630-631, 734-735.

 

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