The Allies

    One of the most important results for the allies was the formation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).  The Berlin blockade showed the allies they needed to confront the Soviets as a united group and NATO was quickly established.  More importantly, they learned that there were courses of action other than armed conflict that could force the Soviets to make concessions.  Lastly, despite all their rhetoric, it became clear the Soviets could be influenced by world opinion.

The Soviets

    The Soviets learned that the resources of the Western Allies were far greater than they had predicted.  The immense amount of personnel, fuel and other supplies used to support Berlin entirely by air was staggering.  Their blockade also taught them that they had to be cautious in how their actions were viewed by other countries.  A negative world opinion would cripple the Soviets political and economic goals.  Finally, they discovered that the West had a united resolve to stop communist expansion.  They would not be able to confront them as weak individual states but would have to deal with NATO.   

Conclusion

    These lessons learned were vital to avoiding major confrontation and potential nuclear war during thirty-four years of the Cold War.

Map of the countries that are part of NATO.

The flag of NATO.