Superpower Relations and the Cold War 1941-1991

Introduction

• Covers the GCSE Edexcel nine to one course on superpower relations and the Cold War
• Useful for other exam boards or history enthusiasts
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The Grand Alliance

• Uneasy agreement between USA, USSR, and Britain
• United to defeat Nazis

Tehran Conference (December 1943)

• Location: Tehran, Iran
• Different goals:
  • USA: Wanted USSR's help against Japan after Pearl Harbor attack (July 1941)
  • USSR: Wanted a second front in Western Europe
  • Britain: Support in defeating Nazism and protecting its empire
• Agreements:
  • USA and Britain to invade Western Europe (May 1944) to ease pressure on USSR
  • USSR to support USA against Japan post-Nazis
  • USSR to gain land from Poland
  • Establishment of an international body to prevent future wars
  • No formal agreement on Germany's future

Yalta Conference (February 1945)

• Location: Yalta, Ukraine
• Agreements:
  • Split Germany into four zones (USSR, USA, Britain, France)
  • Split Berlin into four zones
  • Prosecution of Nazis
  • United Nations to settle disputes
  • USSR confirms support against Japan
  • Future USSR elections to be free
• Contentions:
  • Poland: Stalin wanted it as a buffer zone; free elections agreed

Post-War Developments

• Nazi surrender: May 7, 1945
• Roosevelt's death: April 12, 1945, replaced by Harry S. Truman
• Tensions rise between USA and USSR

Potsdam Conference (August 1945)

• Location: Potsdam, near Berlin
• Tensions:
  • Truman's aggressive stance towards Stalin
  • USA's atomic bomb usage shocked Stalin
• Agreements:
  • United Nations established with five permanent members: Britain, France, USA, USSR, China
  • Council of Foreign Ministers created for treaties
  • Denazification of Germany
  • Germany and Berlin split into four zones
  • USSR to receive compensation from other zones
  • Managed reparations for Germany
  • Poland's border adjustment with USSR
• Disagreements:
  • Stalin's desire to share occupation of Japan rejected by Truman
  • Stalin's broken promises on free elections in Soviet-occupied nations

Conclusion

• The fragile alliance was based on defeating Nazis
• Ideological divide between East (USSR) and West (USA, Britain)
• Fear of communist influence in USA/Britain and invasion fear in USSR
• Alliance fell apart after Nazi defeat