Which event is considered a catalyst for the escalated tensions of the Cold War?

The Berlin Blockade is often viewed as a significant catalyst for escalating tensions during the Cold War due to its role in the early geopolitical struggles between the United States and the Soviet Union. In 1948, after World War II, the Soviet Union blocked all ground access to West Berlin, aiming to force the Allies out of the city. In response, the United States and its allies initiated the Berlin Airlift, supplying the city with necessary goods and resources to sustain its population.

This event heightened the already existing hostilities between the two superpowers, symbolizing the division of Europe and representing the broader ideological conflict between capitalism and communism. It illustrated the lengths to which both sides would go to assert their influence and control, and it marked the beginning of a more confrontational phase in the Cold War. The Blockade underscored the intense competition for power and control in Europe, making it a pivotal moment that set the stage for future conflicts and crises throughout the Cold War.