What term is used for the event when East Germany blocked access to West Berlin?

The correct term for the event when East Germany blocked access to West Berlin is the Berlin Blockade. This historical event occurred from June 1948 to May 1949 when the Soviet Union, aiming to consolidate its control over East Germany, cut off all ground routes to West Berlin. The blockade was a reaction to the introduction of a new currency in West Germany and the growing tensions between the Western allies and the Soviet Union during the early stages of the Cold War.

In response to the blockade, the Western Allies organized the Berlin Airlift, which involved flying in supplies to sustain the residents of West Berlin. This was a critical moment in Cold War history, as it highlighted the stark divisions between the Soviet-controlled East and the Western allies' influence in West Berlin. Understanding the significance of the Berlin Blockade helps illustrate the geopolitical tensions of the era and the measures taken by the Western powers to counter Soviet expansionism.