The Berlin Blockade took place at the beginning of the Cold War, between June of 1948 and May of 1949. Because West Berlin was located within the Soviet Occupation zone, Stalin knew he had a geographical advantage to assert and reinforce his influence in occupied Germany.
Another issue was the fact that the Allies were organizing German occupation zones politically, allowing them to set up German democratic representatives. Additionally, they encouraged the creation of their new currency, the Deustche Mark. On March of 1948, the Soviets imposed a blockade of all rail traffic between the Allied occupation zones and West Berlin. They also reserved the right to search any cargo sent there by truck or rail. The Allies responded by organizing a massive air lift that brought 13,000 tons of supplies to West Berlin every day during the year that the Blockade lasted.
