US Attitudes towards Germany and Berlin (AQA A-Level History): Revision Notes
US Attitudes towards Germany and Berlin
The emergence of Bizonia
In January 1947, the British and American occupation territories in Germany and Berlin were combined to form a single administrative unit known as Bizonia. This merger represented an early indication that the USA had determined to establish a clearly defined West German state. American policymakers envisaged this state would become a leading economic and political force within a stable and unified Western European bloc.
By February 1948, the decision had been taken to introduce a new currency exclusively in the Western zones of Germany and Berlin. This measure was formally implemented in June, and its consequences were immediate. The Soviet Union responded by imposing a blockade on Berlin, restricting Western access to the city and heightening tensions between East and West.
The formation of Bizonia was more than just an administrative convenience—it represented a fundamental policy shift. By merging their zones, Britain and America signaled their commitment to creating a viable, economically strong West German state that would serve as a bulwark against Soviet expansion in Europe.
The Marshall Plan and Germany
The Marshall Plan represented a substantial shift in US policy towards Germany and Berlin. It reflected American recognition that a strong German economy was essential to the broader recovery of Western Europe. Previously, US policy had been more ambiguous about Germany's future role. The Marshall Plan demonstrated a new understanding of Germany's economic importance, positioning the Western zones of Berlin particularly as central to the economic recovery of Western Europe as a whole.
Germany now assumed a central position in the USA's relationship with Europe and became an integral element in the Cold War confrontation developing between East and West. In November 1947, Andrei Zhdanov described the USA's objective as constructing a 'Western Bloc' with Germany at its centre functioning as an American protectorate.
Understanding Protectorate Status
A protectorate is a region or state that falls under the influence of another state, whose aim is to ensure the safety of that state or region. Zhdanov's characterization of Germany as an American protectorate was meant to highlight Soviet concerns about growing US influence in Western Europe.
The path towards division
By June 1948, the London Conference concluded that Germany should have its own Constituent Assembly. The US State Department observed that the London agreements represented the first broad, constructive step towards resolving the German problem since Potsdam.
However, the movement towards a divided Germany had become increasingly apparent by March 1947. The Moscow Council of Foreign Ministers collapsed without reaching any firm agreement on a final peace treaty with Germany. By May, the USA had increased the responsibility of the Germans in Bizonia for their own economic development. Coal production became the responsibility of the Germans by September 1947.
The period from March to September 1947 marked a critical turning point. Each successive policy decision—from the Moscow Council breakdown to the transfer of coal production responsibilities—moved Germany further away from the possibility of reunification and closer to permanent division.
It became progressively clear that policymakers in Washington considered a divided Germany infinitely preferable to a united Germany that might align itself with the Soviet Union. The Marshall Plan had effectively closed down alternative policy options that might previously have been available to the USA.
Internal debate: Kennan's opposition
Not all US policymakers supported direct involvement in Germany. George Kennan opposed the Marshall Plan's application to Germany, arguing it would not free the USA from long-term dependency on the Western zones of Germany. Kennan was concerned that the USA was assuming a heavy burden of responsibility for the future development and success of the Western zones' economies.
A divided Germany would necessitate long-term, and therefore damaging, responsibility for the USA. From Kennan's perspective, a united Germany would be a much more viable entity from the USA's point of view than one that was permanently divided.
Kennan's opposition reveals an important internal debate within US policymaking circles. His concerns about long-term dependency and financial burden proved prescient, as the USA maintained significant military and economic commitments in West Germany throughout the Cold War period.
Rationale for rejecting German reunification
Despite internal opposition, most US policymakers were committed to rejecting the prospect of a reunified Germany. The reasoning underpinning this position was threefold:
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Fear of German power: A reunified Germany might become too powerful through the manipulation of the Western and Eastern powers against each other.
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Potential Soviet alignment: Germany might align itself with the USSR, particularly if communist influence already present assumed greater force in a reunified Germany.
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Loss of American influence: The extent of American influence could be undermined if Germany developed sufficient economic dominance to ensure its independence.
These three concerns—German power, Soviet alignment, and loss of influence—became the cornerstone of US policy towards Germany for decades. Understanding this rationale is crucial to explaining why the USA actively promoted division rather than seeking reunification, even when opportunities for negotiation arose.
US preference for West German recovery
The development of a West German economic recovery, rather than a wider reunified Germany, would be more manageable for the USA and would therefore ensure US influence in Europe more easily. This approach offered Washington greater control over developments and reduced the risks associated with an independent, reunified German state that might pursue policies contrary to American interests.
Key Points to Remember:
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The formation of Bizonia in January 1947 demonstrated the USA's early commitment to creating a strong West German state integrated into Western Europe.
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The Marshall Plan marked a fundamental shift in US policy, recognising that German economic recovery was essential to Western European stability and American interests.
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By mid-1947, US policy had moved decisively towards accepting and promoting a divided Germany rather than pursuing reunification.
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Internal opposition, particularly from Kennan, warned against long-term dependency on the Western zones, but these concerns were overridden by the majority of policymakers.
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The USA rejected reunification primarily because of fears that a unified Germany would become too powerful, might align with the Soviet Union, or might develop sufficient economic strength to act independently of American influence.