Overview
This lecture covers the key wartime conferences between the Allies (Tehran, Yalta, Potsdam) that shaped post-World War II superpower relations and contributed to the start of the Cold War.
The Grand Alliance and Wartime Goals
- The Grand Alliance (USA, USSR, Britain) was formed mainly to defeat Nazi Germany despite major ideological differences.
- Each member wanted different postwar outcomes: USA wanted USSR help against Japan, USSR wanted a second front in Europe, Britain aimed to protect its empire and defeat Nazism.
Tehran Conference (1943)
- Held in Iran; focused on defeating the Nazis.
- USA and Britain agreed to open a second front in Western Europe in May 1944.
- USSR agreed to join the war against Japan after Germany's defeat.
- USSR was promised land from Poland.
- An international body (later the UN) was proposed to prevent future wars.
- No formal agreement about Germany’s postwar future.
Yalta Conference (1945)
- Germany and Berlin to be split into four zones among USA, USSR, Britain, and France.
- United Nations to be established to resolve disputes.
- Nazi leaders would be prosecuted for war crimes.
- USSR reaffirmed it would help defeat Japan.
- Disagreement remained over Poland: allies wanted free elections, Stalin wanted a buffer zone; free elections promised but not trusted.
Potsdam Conference (1945)
- Roosevelt replaced by Truman, who distrusted Stalin.
- USA dropped the atomic bomb on Japan during the conference, shocking Stalin.
- United Nations formalized with five permanent members (USA, USSR, Britain, France, China), each with veto power.
- Germany and Berlin confirmed as four zones; denazification and war crimes trials agreed.
- Germany required to pay reparations; payment terms made more manageable.
- Poland’s border moved west, giving USSR land.
- Stalin wanted a say in Japan’s occupation but was refused by Truman.
- Stalin began installing communist governments in Soviet-controlled territories, breaking promises on free elections.
Breakdown of the Alliance
- Ideological tensions and mutual distrust led to breakdown of alliance after Nazi defeat.
- East (USSR) and West (USA, Britain) had conflicting interests and feared each other's influence.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Grand Alliance — Coalition of USA, USSR, and Britain during WWII.
- Second Front — Opening a new front in Western Europe to divide Nazi forces.
- Buffer Zone — A region meant to protect the USSR from invasion.
- United Nations (UN) — International organization to promote peace, established post-WWII.
- Denazification — Removal of Nazi ideology and officials from German society.
- Veto Power — Ability of each permanent UN Security Council member to override decisions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the agreements and disagreements at each conference.
- Study the impact of decisions on postwar Europe and the rise of the Cold War.
- Complete any assigned worksheets or revision materials.