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	Podcast:		Cold War Cast
	Episode:		The Berlin Airlift
	Category:		Society & Culture
	Duration:		00:55:38
	Publish Date:		2018-03-14 12:09:38
	Description:		The Berlin Airlift was one of the most important and most tense moments of the Cold War. The two powers had butted heads from a distance at this point, but never as direct as it was here. Many people on the American side suggested writing Berlin off, others suggested going in guns-a-blazin’ to access the western sectors. President Truman decided on going with the airlift to supply the city’s needs as a way to maintain a presence in Berlin while keeping the likelihood of armed conflict low (or at least putting the ball squarely in the Soviet court). The airlift definitely didn’t look like a promising option at the outset of the operation – would they even be able to muster the aircraft to pull off this herculean task? Would it just agitate the Soviets, who had a 16 to 1 manpower advantage and force the US to play her atomic hand? Would the people of Berlin take tightening their belts even more and cave? In this episode I take some time to set the stage for the airlift and go over some of the root causes. Then we talk a little bit about the airlift itself and then the consequences. Both sides needed a decisive victory here. Unfortunately for the Soviets, this seemingly-airtight plan backfired on them and turned into a big US/West victory. I think this episode is the longest one to date and we still only scratched the surface. Feel free to send your questions or comments for discussion
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