The main purpose of the Berlin Airlift, which occurred from 1948 to 1949, was to provide essential supplies to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade. Following World War II, tensions rose between the Soviet Union and Western Allies, culminating in the Soviet blockade of all ground routes to West Berlin. In response, the United States and its allies established an airlift operation, ferrying food, fuel, and other necessities to sustain the city's inhabitants. The successful airlift not only prevented West Berlin from falling under Soviet control but also became a symbol of resistance against communism and a pivotal moment in the early Cold War.