The Peace Process and Post-War World History Unit 7

Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill 1. Tehran Conference Identification: At 1943 meeting, Britain, U.S. and Soviet Union planned attack on Germany: Britain and U.S. to reach Germany by going through France; Soviet Union to attack from East. Significance: All of Eastern Europe would be liberated by Soviet Union and agreed that Germany would be divided after the War. The “Big Three” Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill

Example of a political cartoon from the Tehran Conference

2. Yalta Conference Identification: Meeting of Feb. 1945 in which Big Three agree: All will join United Nations Stalin agrees to help against Japan in exchange for some Japanese territory Four countries will split Germany after the War and occupy with their military (U.S., Britain, France, and U.S.S.R) 1945 wartime meeting of the heads of government of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union—President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and General Secretary Joseph Stalin, respectively—for the purpose of discussing Europe's postwar reorganization. Mainly, it was intended to discuss the re-establishment of the nations of war-torn Europe.

2. Yalta Conference Significance: U.S.S.R. is not willing to let Eastern European countries elect their own governments after the war. Stalin wants them under Soviet control. Key points of the meeting are as follows: There was an agreement that the priority would be the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. After the war, Germany would be split into four occupied zones. Stalin agreed that France might have a fourth occupation zone in Germany and Austria but it would have to be formed out of the American and British zones. Germany would undergo demilitarization and denazification. German reparations were partly to be in the form of forced labor. The forced labor was to be used to repair damage Germany inflicted on its victims. Creation of a reparation council which would be located in Russia. The status of Poland was discussed. It was agreed to reorganize the communist Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland that had been installed by the Soviet Union "on a broader democratic basis." The Polish eastern border would follow the Curzon Line, and Poland would receive territorial compensation in the West from Germany. Churchill alone pushed for free elections in Poland. The British leader pointed out that UK "could never be content with any solution that did not leave Poland a free and independent state". Stalin pledged to permit free elections in Poland, but eventually never honored his promise. Citizens of the Soviet Union and of Yugoslavia were to be handed over to their respective countries, regardless of their consent. Roosevelt obtained a commitment by Stalin to participate in the United Nations. Stalin requested that all of the 16 Soviet Socialist Republics would be granted United Nations membership. This was taken into consideration, but 14 republics were denied. Stalin agreed to enter the fight against the Empire of Japan within 90 days after the defeat of Germany. Nazi war criminals were to be hunted down and brought to justice.

3. Potsdam Conference Identification: The Big Three gathered to decide how to administer punishment to the defeated Nazi Germany. The goals of the conference also included the establishment of post-war order, peace treaties issues, and countering the effects of war. Japan was given an ultimatum to surrender (in the name of United States, Great Britain, China and USSR) or meet "prompt and utter destruction" The Potsdam Conference was held at Cecilienhof, the home of in Potsdam, occupied Germany, from 17 July to 2 August 1945. Participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The three nations were represented by  — gathered to decide how to administer punishment to the defeated Nazi Germany, which had agreed to unconditional surrender nine weeks earlier, on May 8 (V-E Day).

The Potsdam Conference “In which I tell Stalin we expect to drop the most powerful explosive ever made on the Japanese. He smiled and said he appreciated my telling him -- but he did not know what I'm talking about -- the Atomic Bomb!" Harry S. Truman

3. Potsdam Conference Significance: President Truman (who replaced Roosevelt) demanded free elections for Eastern European countries taken over by Hitler. Stalin said “no”, claiming he needed “buffer” states to protect USSR. Stalin and communists take control of several Eastern European countries and this sets in motion the “Cold War”

Germanys and Berlins four occupied zones

4. War Crimes Trials Identification: Trials were held in Nuremberg in 1945 and 1946 for Nazi criminals. Trials were also later held in Italy and Japan Significance: Most of those charged were convicted and sentenced to death for “crimes against humanity”.

Nuremberg Trials

4. War Crimes Trials Over 200 Nazi’s were prosecuted in the Nuremburg trials Since then over 925 trials have been held by Germany itself Nuremberg War Crimes: Execution of German General Anton Dostler (being tied to the stake and after the firing squad.)

5. Japanese War Crimes Trials Identification: 5,600 Japanese were prosecuted in more than 2,200 trials. Significance 4,400 were convicted Approximately 1,000 were executed. Among these was Hideki Tojo. Emperor Hirohito was not charged Execution of Tojo