The document provides background information on the Berlin Blockade and Airlift. It explains that after World War 2, Berlin was divided among the Western Allies and Soviet Union. In 1948, Stalin blocked all access routes to West Berlin by land and water in an attempt to force the Allies out. In response, the Allies launched the Berlin Airlift to fly in food and supplies. For 11 months, planes continuously delivered over 1.5 million tons of cargo to the city's 2 million residents until Stalin lifted the blockade. The airlift showed that the Allies would not give into Stalin's demands through this massive humanitarian effort.