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

The Berlin Blockade is often considered a significant catalyst for the escalated tensions of the Cold War because it was one of the first major crises that highlighted the growing divide between the Western powers, led by the United States, and the Eastern bloc, led by the Soviet Union. In 1948, in response to the Western Allies' decision to establish a separate economic system in West Berlin, the Soviet Union imposed a blockade, cutting off all ground access to the city. This bold action led to the Berlin Airlift, where the Western Allies provided vital supplies to the isolated city, demonstrating their commitment to containing communism.

The Berlin Blockade effectively solidified the division of Europe into East and West and marked an important turning point in Cold War relations. It underscored the ideological and geopolitical rivalry that would define the Cold War era. This event also boosted military alliances like NATO and increased the urgency of U.S. foreign policy efforts to contain the spread of communism, setting the stage for subsequent confrontations such as those seen during the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War.