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Sometimes called the Crimea Conference and code-named the Argonaut Conference. This was a wartime meeting of heads of gov't of the US, UK and the Soviet Union: Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin to discuss Europe's postwar reorganization.
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The Soviets proceed to rape and pillage anything of worth in the city.
Image is of Brandenburg Gate, post war and looking north east -
France demands a piece of their own.
To the West is the American, British and French zones and the Soviet Union to the East. The government is to be conducted by a collective Kommandatura, whose decisions must be unanimous. -
He was an unlikely candidate because he was elderly and an unpolitical college principal. It was all part of Ulbricht's plan to have his own man, hardcore communist Karl Maron, in position as Deputy.
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Social Democratic trade union leader Jeosef Orlopp is "persuaded" to join. To legitimize his election, a few prominent citizens are rounded up to "vote." They are: Dr. Andreas Hermes (pre-war Catholic politician), Dr. Sauerbruch (surgeon and Director of Berlin's Charite Hospital), Hans Scharoun (architect) and film and theatre star, Heinz Ruhmann.
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These German-speaking people were called "Sudeten Germans"
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Conducted by Leo Borchard, a Russian born to German parents. Borchard was later killed when his British driver mistook an American sentry hand signal to stop and he was shot.
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The party consists of 500 men and 100 vehicles. Only 1/2 would actually be allowed into the Soviet Zone but they would not get beyond Babelsberg before having to turn back since the Soviets would not let them laeve their vehicles.
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Runs until August 2, 1945 and results in the division of Berlin into 4 Zones.
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In a message to the State Department, he describes the scene at Lehrter Rail Station in Berlin where hundreds of German refugees, expelled from Polish territories, are arriving. As many as 10 per day are dying and all are suffering from exhaustion, malnutrition and illness.
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Please note: this took place in the month of January. No particular date assigned.
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Radio in the American Sector remained committed to the tradition of rational, critical American journalism. Thus, it was credibility that distinguished this station. It was also known for playing great music
20,000 Watt transmitter enabled 24-hour broadcasting -
In the German State Opera House in East Berlin, 1000 delegates formally vote to merge the KPD and SPD despite opposition. Joint leaders Wilhelm Pieck (KPD) and Otto Grotewohl (SPD) shake hands. A stylized version of the picture later becomes the emblem of the SED and is later reproduced on banners, buttons and posters. Walter Ulbricht (KPD) and Max Fechner (SPD) are to be the Deputies.
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Runs until May 16, 1946.
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SMA= Soviet Military Administration
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The Bizone becomes known as "Bizonia". The French and Soviets oppose the merger and say that it violates the Potsdam agreement.
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During the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Paris, Brynes invites all occupying powers to merge their zones economically with the American zone.
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Continues through to October 15 and results in Paris Peace Treaties to be signed by Allies
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Applications must be made to the authorities who had free reign to refuse.
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These treaties allow Italy, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Finland to reassume their responsibilities as sovereign states in international affairs and qualify them for membership in the United Nations.
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Called the Deutsche Verwaltung des Innern and abbreviated DVdI. They would control the German auxiliary police force that would soon be dubbed the ‘People’s Police’.
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The existing Lord Mayor, Otto Ostrowski, is forced to resign. Reuter is vetoed because of his anti-Communist views. Acting Mayor, Luise Schroeder (SPD) remains in the position until Dec, 1948.
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this is the primary program of the US to rebuild and create a stronger economic foundation for the countries of Europe. Historically it will be known as The Marshall Plan, in honor of Secretary of State, George Marshall
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Meeting continues until December 16, 1947
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After inter-Allied talks fail, the Russians withdraw and a peace treaty no longer looks possible
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The pair meet to discuss mounting Communist pressure.
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They issue everyone in their zones with 40 new Deutsche Marks (D-Marks), with 20 more to follow in exchange for 60 old marks.
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The SED organizes demonstrations in response
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Khrushchev issues ultimatum: the West must recognize the sovereignty of Communist East Germany and remove all troops from Berlin.
The Russians announce that rail links between the Western zones will be closed until further notice. The Elbe Bridge is also closed. -
The American mission name for the Berlin airlift.
The British code named the mission "Knicker" and then 'Carter Patterson" (a reference to a well known British freight company. -
The Western Powers launch the Berlin Airlift to get supplies into West Berlin. They plan to drop over 8000 tons of food and other daily necessities to the 2.5 million residents.
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to hold fast to Berlin at the risk of WWIII
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They plan to run "maneuvers" in Germany
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US Air Force will use the planes to help Allies fight the Russian siege of Berlin
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Issued to German Political leaders outlining recommendations of the 5th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. One recommendation is the creation of a Parliamentary Council with a goal to drafting a constitution for the 3 zones.
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In an attempt to stop the West from creating a separate German state.
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Foggy conditions cause the plane to overshoot the runway at Tempelhof and catch fire
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It cuts traffic between East and West.
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As the Magistrat convene, a huge and intimidating crowd of SED supporters arrive waving red flags and shouting slogans like "Down with the bankrupt Magistrat!" "No, Marshall Plan"
Later, 30,000 anti-Communist Berliners gather to hear a speech from Ernst Reuter willing a fight against Communism "as long as there is a breath in us" -
3000 Communist demonstrators violently invade the Red Town Hall building and attach journalists and assembly members. Markgraf police take all Magistrat members and employees, as well as Western liaison officers, as hostages. They are released many hours later. American protest of the event falls on deaf ears. It becomes clear that no democratic
government in the Eastern part of the city is possible. -
They come to hear their leaders urge them to hold out against the blockade and oppose attempts to topple their elected representatives. Ernst Reuter gives speech near the Brandenburg Gate ("People of the World".) Demonstration spills into Soviet Sector.The Eastern police react with bullets. 12 go to hospital and a 16 year old boy bleeds to death. 5 are arrested and sentenced to 25 years hard labour by a Soviet military court. The sentences were later reduced.
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Although the French were not actively involved, they did help to construct the new airfield in Tegel (located in their sector)
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Any planes flying outside of air corridors may be forced down. British military responds with strong warning to Russia. US responds too but not as strongly.
Soviets jammed radio frequencies and blinded pilots with searchlights but the planes kept coming -
They also agree to the next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers on May 23, 1949 in Paris, France
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Western Allies still fly in for a few months so as to safeguard against a Soviet turnaround
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Soviet Germany concludes voting for handpicked pro-communist People's Congress (it was a single-list ballot. Only 35% of eligible East Germans are reported to have voted. Soviet Military police out in force to "control" the voting.
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Interzonal rail shipments and elevated trains stop entirely. Workers demand to be paid in West German Marks instead of Eastern Marks. West German Marks are worth 4X as much
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Basic Law becomes the constitution of West Germany with the signatures of the Allies.
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Soviet officers and East Berlin train workers try but fail to take over strike-bound American sector railway yards. Several strikers are wounded and one is killed.
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Although the meeting was called as part of the Blockade settlement, it amounted to little more than pettifogging argument and little agreement as to long term access to Berlin from the West
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600 officials of the union let their members vote on the settlement offer. Russia will agree to pay 60% of wages in West German Marks and take no reprisals against striking workers. Western Powers agree to let West Berlin City Council exchange a further 15% of wages from East to West Marks on a 1:1 basis.
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The same day, an East German delegation in Moscow agree on the foundation of a separate state (the GDR)
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The Berlin Airlift ends for the US
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The Airlift is over for Britian
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Their constitution comes into effect. KPD leader Wilhem Pieck is President and Otto Grotewohl (SPD) becomes provisional Prime Minister. However, Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the SED remained the real power.
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Report that Soviet zone polio victims are being brought to West berlin hospitals without any provision for their care.
