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President Truman's Decision Making Process
President Truman and military leaders thought about and tried flying supplies into West Berlin. They were not sure if they should continue with this very risky course of action.
Below is a list of disadvantages and advantages of this course of action. Decide which of these are advantages and which are disadvantages. On a piece of paper, number from 1 through 5. Write a D by the ones you think are disadvantages and an A by the ones you think are advantages. Share your answers with a partner. Be prepared to discuss your choices with the class.
- If the United States showed off its military strength and tried to force the Soviet Union to open up the land and water routes into West Berlin, it could lead to another war.
- The airport in Berlin could not handle all the increased air traffic.
- Using the planes necessary to make the airlift successful would make the United States military less able to defend our country if it were attacked.
- General Clay, President Truman's military advisor, thought the Soviets would probably attack armed convoys bringing in supplies by land.
- General Clay thought the Soviets would not attack our airplanes unless they had decided to go to war with us.
Click to see three letters written to President Truman in 1948. Each expresses a different opinion about the crisis in West Berlin. (Use BACK button after viewing each letter.)
Letter 1 : Letter 2 : Letter 3 After looking at some of the disadvantages and advantages of flying in supplies to the people of West Berlin, what do you think you would have decided to do? Why? Write your answer on a piece of paper. Be prepared to share your decision with your classmates.
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