The 1945 Conferences Yalta and Potsdam From Co-operation to Suspicion 1.The Yalta Conference and Agreement – February

What was Yalta for? To discuss the future of Europe once Germany was defeated (clearly soon) Poland? A central question Germany? Another key question Eastern Europe? Peacekeeping in the future? etc

Who? The Big Three Churchill Roosevelt Stalin When and where had they last met? ?

Churchill British Prime Minister Wrote to the United States - need to stop the USSR's 'onward sweep' He never trusted Stalin. He did try to get on better with him but admitted it was like trying to deal with a crocodile: 'You do not know whether to tickle it under the chin or to beat it over the head. When it opens its mouth you cannot tell whether it is trying to smile or is preparing to eat you up.' Churchill had to be careful. He dare not criticise Stalin too much. Churchill just wanted to hang on to the British Empire.

Roosevelt US President, but was very sick Keep the Allies together. Free democratic elections A new peace-keeping organisation. Did his best to get on with and trust Stalin, and treat the USSR fairly, much to Churchill's annoyance. Gave Stalin the benefit of the doubt so that the USSR would join the United Nations.

Stalin Saw Roosevelt as a ‘soft touch’ Free elections?? Stalin saw Poland as the route through which the USSR's enemies had passed and here was the opportunity to close this route by creating a buffer between Western Europe and Russia; a buffer of friendly communist states.

What was the atmosphere like? A ‘family’ atmosphere

1. The Polish Question A central and controversial theme at Yalta.

The Polish Background a)The London Poles A 'government-in-exile‘ in London Strongly anti-Soviet

b) The Lublin Poles In July 1944 the USSR set up a government for Poland. This first met at the town of Lublin. Mostly communists - Stalin felt that they could be trusted.

c) The Warsaw Uprising August 1944 The London Poles decided to seize control of part of Poland before the Red Army did. In August 1944 Polish resistance fighters, loyal to the London Poles, attacked the German forces occupying Warsaw, the capital of Poland. The Soviet army was nearby but did nothing to help the Poles.

Without Soviet help, the Rising was ruthlessly smashed by the Germans and nearly 300,000 Poles were killed. The Germans sent the surviving people of Warsaw to concentration camps and when the Red Army finally took the city it was completely deserted.

The discussions on Poland Churchill – Britain went to war because of Poland. London Poles supported. Churchill and Roosevelt wanted ‘free elections’ in Poland with the London Poles represented. Stalin wanted a friendly (Communist) state, with the Lublin Poles forming the government. Stalin wanted Poland to be shifted westwards? Why? Implications?

What was decided on Poland? (The Red Army now controlled Poland) Free Elections as soon as possible (some London Poles to be included) Poland to move westwards! Soviet / Polish border – west Poland / German border – west Churchill and Roosevelt were not happy, but agreed as long as Stalin stayed out of Greece and Turkey

The reality Results?

2. Germany Another key theme

What was decided? Germany to be defeated, then disarmed Germany to pay reparations Nazi war criminals would be brought to justice Germany would be split into 4 zones of occupation – Soviet, USA, British, French The same would apply to Austria

Berlin would also be split into four zones of occupation, British, French, US and Soviet

Access to Berlin would be through the Soviet occupied zone

3. Other areas of eastern Europe To have ‘free elections’ To become a ‘Soviet Sphere of Influence’

4. The war against Japan Stalin agreed to help in the war against Japan after Germany’s surrender

5.Prisoners of War Britain and the USA held many prisoners of war from Soviet territory who had been forced of chose to fight for Germany in the war. It was agreed that they would be sent back to the USSR About 10,000 were executed on their return.

6. The United Nations Set up

At the end? General satisfaction False Expectations ‘Free Elections’ or Sphere of Influence? Could the new arrangements for Poland work?