8. Describe what the Berlin blockade and the Berlin airlift were.

Answer & Explanation:  The Berlin Blockade occurred between June 1948 to May 1949 which was characterized by the restriction of supplies to the U.S, Britain and French sectors of Berlin which coincidentally was situated within East Germany occupied by the Soviet Union. Railways, roads, canals etc. were blocked leaving millions of civilians without basic amenities.

In response to the Berlin Blockade of the period, the Western Allies arranged what was termed the Berlin Airlift which lasted nearly a year with the aim of bringing essential, vital supplies to the massive population of West Berlin, a difficult feat given the size of the city's population.

The blockage and the airlift response thus represented the very first major conflict of the Cold War era.