Florida US History EOC Practice Exam

The Berlin Airlift was primarily aimed at addressing food and fuel shortages in West Berlin following the Soviet blockade that began in June 1948. After World War II, Berlin was divided into East and West, with West Berlin surrounded by East Germany. When the Soviet Union blocked all ground access to West Berlin in an attempt to force the Allies out of the city, the United States and its allies launched the airlift to provide the essential supplies that the residents needed to survive.

This massive operation involved thousands of flights delivering not only food but also coal and other necessities, effectively allowing West Berlin to continue functioning despite the blockade. The success of the airlift helped to solidify the Western powers' presence in Berlin and demonstrated their commitment to defending the city against Soviet pressure. Therefore, addressing shortages of food and fuel was the crucial objective of the Berlin Airlift, making it the correct answer.