AQA GCSE History Revision: Conflict and Tension Between East and West (1945-1972)

Episode 2: The Yalta and Potsdam Conferences

Yalta Conference (February 1945)

• Participants: Stalin (USSR), Roosevelt (USA), Churchill (Britain)
• Agreements:
  • Stalin to join war against Japan after Germany's surrender.
  • Germany to be divided into zones controlled by the USSR, USA, Britain, and France.
  • Nazi war criminals to be prosecuted.
  • Join the United Nations.
  • Free elections to be held in Eastern Europe post-Nazi regime.
  • Eastern Europe designated as the Soviet sphere of influence.
• Disagreement:
  • Poland's borders: Stalin wanted to extend USSR's border into Poland; USA and Britain were initially opposed but eventually agreed.

Potsdam Conference

• New Leaders: Attlee (Britain) and Truman (USA) replaced Churchill and Roosevelt.
• Context: Stalin's armies controlled much of Eastern Europe.
• Key Issues:
  • Stalin established a communist government in Poland and aimed for pro-Soviet governments across Eastern Europe.
  • Truman viewed Stalin’s actions as an attempt to build a Soviet empire.
  • Stalin wanted to severely weaken Germany, demanding $10 billion in compensation; Truman opposed this approach.

Development of the Atom Bomb

• USA's Action: Developed an atomic bomb in secret, increasing mistrust with USSR.
• Potsdam Conference Revelation: Truman informed Stalin about the atomic bomb.
• Historical Context: USA dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan on August 6, 1945. Some historians suggest this was partly a warning to Stalin.

Next Episode

• Focus: The Iron Curtain, Martial Aid, and the Berlin Brocade

End of Episode 2: Understanding post-war agreements and tensions that escalated between East and West.