The Berlin Blockade occurred from June 24, 1948, to May 12, 1949 (lasting 323 days).
The Allied powers decided to unite their different occupation zones of Germany into a single economic unit. They also introduced a new Deutsche Mark currency in West Berlin (as throughout West Germany), which the Soviets considered a violation of agreements. They responded by blocking all rail, road, and water communications between Berlin and the West. The Western Allies countered with the Berlin Airlift, supplying West Berlin by air.
The Berlin Airlift demonstrated Western Allies’ determination to support West Berlin and the resilience of democratic forces against Soviet pressure, while intensifying Cold War tensions between superpowers