What were the results of the Yalta Conference and the Potsdam Conference? Do Now: Explain, in brief, the ideological differences between the USA & the USSR in 1945. L.O: Can I explain the results of the Yalta and the Potsdam Conference?
The Background Knowledge Americans & Russians, were terrified of each other. Both thought their way was the right way, and were suspicious the other was trying to dominate the world with their ideology. Churchill gave lots of warnings about the danger of letting Stalin take control of countries in Europe, and setting up Communist governments there. The West (eg France, Britain, USA) felt that Stalin was trying to strengthen his position in Europe by taking over as much of Germany as possible. The USSR claimed that Stalin was just trying to protect them from any more invasions. Stalin tried to stop any more attacks on the USSR by building a ‘buffer zone’ of states who were ‘friendly’ towards the USSR between itself and the ‘democratic states’ in the west.
The ‘Big Three’ of the Yalta Conference Franklin Roosevelt President of the USA for a few months of 1945 before Truman took over. Aims: Soviet support in war against Japan Winston Churchill Prime Minister of Britain Aims: Free elections and democratic gov’ts in E.Europe Josef Stalin Leader of the USSR Aims: Soviet influence in E.Europe
The Yalta Conference, Feb 1945 The Yalta conference happened just before the end of the war to decide what to do with Germany after its defeat. The conference had the following outcomes, all agreed upon by Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt. Germany was to be divided into four zones, controlled by Britain, France, the USA & the USSR. Although Berlin (Germany’s capital) was in the soviet controlled zone, it would also be divided in four parts. Nazi war criminals were to be hunted down and tried for their crimes. Free elections were to be held in the states of Eastern Europe once they had been freed from German control. Stalin agreed to enter the war against Japan in return for Soviet gains in the Far East. A United Nations (UN) should be set up to replace the LON and to keep peace. Germany should pay reparations for the war.
The ‘Big Three’ at the Potsdam Conference Harry Truman President of the USA Josef Stalin Leader of the USSR Clement Attlee Prime Minister of Britain
The Potsdam Conference, July 1945 This conference happened after Germany had lost the war. Although there was only 4 months between Yalta and Potsdam, lots had changed: Roosevelt had died in April 1945, and was replaced by Truman who was far more suspicious of Stalin and unwilling to negotiate with him. Churchill was defeated in an election and replaced by Clement Attlee. Soviet troops had taken over much of Eastern Europe and stayed there, without any free elections. (against Yalta conference). On 16th July the USA had successfully tested the first atom bomb. It was clear they weren’t going to share the secret. Stalin became more suspicious. The division of Germany, into four and treatment of war criminals was confirmed at Potsdam. The alliance between the USSR & the West was over. What were the main differences between the Yalta and Potsdam conferences? How did these conferences effect the relationship between the USA & the USSR?
the Second World War was over. 1) In February 1945, the leaders of the USA, the USSR and Britain met at Yalta to decide what to do with Germany when the Second World War was over. Describe what was decided about Germany at the Yalta Conference. (4 marks) Yalta & Potsdam