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Difficulty: MediumOrigins of the Cold War and Containment

Source: General Lucius D. Clay, Commander of United States Forces in Europe and Military Governor of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany, cable to the Department of the Army, June 1948.

"We have lost Germany, our position in Europe is threatened, and war will become more, not less, likely. We cannot afford to retreat. We must remain in Berlin... our status in Berlin is the only symbol of our intent to remain in Germany."

Which of the following actions did the United States take in direct response to the situation described in the excerpt?

  1. A
    Launching a direct military invasion of the Soviet occupation zone to forcibly reopen land transit routes.
  2. Organizing a massive aerial resupply operation to sustain the city's population and prevent a Soviet takeover.Answer
  3. C
    Withdrawing all military forces from Germany to return to the isolationist policies of the interwar era.
  4. D
    Negotiating a mutual defense treaty with the Soviet Union to permanently partition Central Europe into spheres of influence.

Answer

Organizing a massive aerial resupply operation to sustain the city's population and prevent a Soviet takeover.
The correct answer is correct because the United States responded to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin by launching the Berlin Airlift. This operation successfully bypassed the land blockade by flying food, fuel, and supplies into the Western-occupied sectors of the city, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to containment without resorting to direct military confrontation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus context and author.
The excerpt is from General Lucius D. Clay in June 1948, expressing urgency about remaining in Berlin during the Soviet blockade.
Identifying the historical context (the Berlin Blockade of 1948-1949) is necessary to determine the appropriate response.
2
Connect the Berlin Blockade to U.S. Cold War policy.
The U.S. sought to contain Soviet expansion and demonstrate commitment to Europe without triggering a direct military conflict.
Containment policy guided the U.S. to resist the blockade while avoiding actions that could lead to World War III.
3
Identify the specific U.S. action taken.
The United States and its allies organized the Berlin Airlift to resupply the city by air.
The Berlin Airlift bypassed the land blockade and successfully maintained the Western presence in Berlin, matching the correct option.

Key Concept

The Berlin Airlift as an application of the containment doctrine
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Origins of the Cold War and Containment

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