In June 1948, the Soviet Union enacted a blockade that made overland travel between West Germany and West Berlin impossible. This blockade was a response to the introduction of a new currency in West Germany, which the Soviets opposed, believing it would strengthen the western Allies' control over the city of Berlin. West Berlin was situated deep within East Germany and was jointly occupied by the Allies (the United States, Britain, and France) and the Soviets. Rising tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western powers over the governance of Germany had culminated in this significant action. It effectively sealed off West Berlin from any land access, leading to a crisis that would last for almost a year. The Allies quickly responded to the blockade with the Berlin Airlift, a massive logistical effort to fly in food, fuel, and other essential supplies to sustain the city's nearly two million residents. Between June 1948 and May 1949, Allied aircraft flew over 200,000 missions, delivering about 2.3 million tons of supplies. This operation showcased the West's commitment to defending West Berlin and resisting Soviet pressure. The blockade eventually ended in May 1949, but it significantly heightened Cold War tensions and solidified the division of Europe into East and West, establishing a lasting legacy of animosity and mistrust between the two sides.