Why did the wartime alliance between the USA and USSR begin to break down in 1945?

Learning objective – to be able to identify the key issues discussed at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences in 1945. I can describe the agreements and disagreements at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences. Grade D I can explain the agreements and disagreements at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences. Grade B I can evaluate the impact of the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences. Grade A

Who were the ‘Big Three’? Winston Churchill Prime Minister of UK since 1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt President of USA since 1933 Josef Stalin Dictator of USSR since 1924

Why did the Allies meet at Yalta in February 1945? It was clear at the beginning of 1945 that Germany was nearing defeat in the Second World War. The Allied leaders decided to meet at Yalta in the Ukraine to plan what was going to happen in Europe once the war had ended.

What was agreed at the Yalta Conference? How to defeat Germany and Japan Hunt down war criminals Division of Germany and Austria What was agreed at the Yalta Conference? Creation of the United Nations Liberated countries from Nazi rule would hold free and fair elections

What was not agreed at the Yalta Conference? Stalin wanted the Polish border to move westwards with a friendly government installed. This meant USSR would gain 30% of former Polish territory FDR and Churchill did not like this fearing USSR expansion in Europe. They recognised that there was little they could do as the Red Army was already in Poland. Borders of Poland What was not agreed at the Yalta Conference? There was no agreement on the amount of reparations the Allies thought Germany should pay.

What changed between the Yalta and Potsdam conferences? Germany was defeated in May 1945, but there were significant changes in international relations which impacted upon the Potsdam Conference in July-August 1945. The Red Army occupied most of eastern Europe. Roosevelt dies and was replaced with Harry Truman who was more hardline against Communism. USA successfully detonates a nuclear bomb and Stalin only finds out at the start of the Potsdam Conference. In the middle of the Potsdam Conference, Churchill is voted out of office and is replaced by Clement Attlee.

What was agreed at the Potsdam Conference? Germany would be divided along the lines agreed at Yalta. Germany would pay reparations of which most would go to the USSR Poland’s border would move westwards What was agreed at the Potsdam Conference? Treatment of the Nazis

What was not agreed at the Potsdam Conference? How to deal with the rebuilding of Germany Disagreed with the amount of reparations Germany must pay Disagreement with USSR occupying most of eastern Europe What was not agreed at the Potsdam Conference? USSR wanted a share in the occupation of the defeat of Japan

What did Europe look like after the Potsdam Conference?

Who was to blame for the failure of the wartime conferences? USSR’s fault USA’s fault Both sides It was cold and harsh in its dealings at the conferences. It refused to set up free and fair elections in eastern Europe. It wanted to spread Communism beyond its borders. It failed to understand the suffering of USSR in the Second World War. USA failed to understand USSR’s position of wanting to create a buffer zone in eastern Europe. Lack of mutual trust. Overreaction from both sides. From Potsdam, both sides took a more aggressive stance towards each other.

Home learning task You Tube - Cold War 01/24 full length documentary - Comrades 1917-1945 Watch the above documentary on You Tube and make notes on the following – Events surrounding Yalta and Potsdam Conferences. Explanations why relations changed between the allies.

Plenary This word cloud is in the shape of Stalin. Choose three words, and explain why each word is significant in this lesson.