1. Yalta Newsreel

2. Problems with Yalta & Potsdam

3. Yalta, Oh Yalta At first there was lots of enthusiasm for Yalta.
Cheering in the US Senate…
BUT
There were problems with this agreement.

4. Yalta Problems
What is democracy anyway?
To Americans?
To the Soviets?

5. Yalta Problems Expectations vs. Reality
USA thought that cooperation at Yalta meant that Stalin would allow western-style governments to be set up in E. Europe.
Nope!

6. Yalta Problems Hopes for compromise in Poland dashed
Poland could not be both democratic/friendly AND communist/friendly
Stalin crushed dissent in Polish politics – Free speech?

7. Yalta in Practice Stalin did not allow non-commie influence in Poland.
Talks between Molotov and the West were failures.
Non-commies treated ruthlessly.
EX: Leaders of the Polish Resistance were invited by Stalin to talks….
They were never seen or heard from…
again.

8. Newbie in the White House
RIP Roosevelt – April 1945.
Hello Harry Truman
Had only been VP for a few weeks! No foreign policy experience.
Hardline personality - Hardline approach to USSR.
FDR was optimistic USA and USSR could remain on good terms…not so much with Truman.

9. Truman’s Hardline April, 1945 Truman meets with Molotov.
Angrily insists that the USSR must uphold its agreements.
Molotov: “I have never been talked to like that in my life.”
Truman: “Carry out your agreement and you won’t get talked to like that.”

10. Potsdam USA, USSR, and Britain - Potsdam, Germany. July, August 1945.
Churchill had been replaced by Labour Party leader Clement Attlee.

11. Potsdam Conference Newsreel

12. Potsdam Conference Blue Book p. 102.
What was Truman’s attitude at Potsdam and WHY?
Assignment 5:
Create a chart showing areas of agreement and disagreement at Potsdam.

13. The Iron Curtain Churchill liked Truman’s tough line.
Churchill made a speech in Missouri
Called for an American-British alliance against the threat of communism.
Assignment 6: Read source M. What phenomena does Churchill describe, and why is it dangerous to British and American interests?

14. Soviet Take-Over of E. Europe
USSR actions - Defensive move or power grab?
Historians have mixed feelings
What drove Soviet strategic thinking?
Communism triumphed in war
Prevent future invasion
Need friends nearby
Belief about USA intent

15. Soviet Take-Over of Eastern Europe 1945-48
Stage 1 – Poland
Lublin Poles win, London Poles lose
USA/GB recognize in July 1945
Stage 2 – Romania & Bulgaria
Rigged elections
Monarchies abolished
Stage 3 – Hungary & Czechoslovakia
Hungary – Free elections initially & later rigged
Czech – initially combined non-communist /commie ruling body
Commie used armed force to seize power, then rigged elections

16. THE COLD WAR - PART 1: From World War to Cold War
Video Review
THE COLD WAR - PART 1: From World War to Cold War