1. Ending World War II

2. Yalta Conference February 4-11, 1945
The “Big 3” met in Yalta to decide on actions that would follow the war
Decided that after the war, an international court would try those suspected of war crimes.
Roosevelt and Churchill could not reach an agreement with Stalin on the future of Poland…free elections at a later date
Stalin agreed to hold free elections in Eastern European states, but went back on his promise

3. Costs of War All countries involved dealt with massive casualties
US: 1.7 million killed or wounded
Germany: 5.5 million killed
China: 3 million
Japan: 2 million
USSR: 10.7 million soldiers and 12 million civilians
Holocaust: 11 million killed by Nazis
Physical terrain of Europe and Japan was devastated

4. Two “Superpowers” Emerge
US emerged from the war as the most powerful nation in the world
Even though the USSR suffered massive casualties, their industrial power remained and military had proven its strength
US and USSR had different goals at the end of the war
US: continue prosperity and transition to a peacetime economy, still supply military goods to world countries
USSR: prevent future attacks from Germany…create a buffer zone by solidifying Eastern European countries into the USSR
Sets the stage for the Cold War

5. Changing the Map of Europe
The “Big 3” at Yalta agreed to the following for Germany
Dismantle the military
Prosecute war criminals
Provide minimal economic aid to civilians
Divide Germany into 4 occupation zones, one for US, USSR, GB, and France
Later, US, GB, and French zones become West Germany, and USSR zone becomes East Germany

6. The United Nations
Before Yalta, world leaders met in the US to discuss revising the League of Nations
Goal: provide a forum for nations to settle conflicts with diplomacy to avoid another world war
Forum: The United Nations
At Yalta, leaders agreed that the 5 permanent members of the Security Council would have veto power…meaning that all 5 members had to agree on a resolution for it to pass US UK
France
USSR
China