Superpower relations and Cold War

Since when had Britain been at war with Nazi Germany?

1939

Since when had The USA been at war with Nazi Germany and Japan?

Decemeber 1941

Since when had The Soviet Union been at war with Nazi Germany?

1941

What core aim did The USA, Britain, and The Soviet Union share?

To defeat Nazi Germany and it's allies (Empire of Japan & Fascist Italy)

When was the Grand Allience created?

1941

What phrase was used to describe the Grand Alliance?

A marriage of convenience

State the order of the 3 Big Conferences.

Tehran, Yalta, Potsdam

When was the Tehran Conference?

November-December 1943

Who represented Britain at the Tehran Conference of 1943 and the Yalta Conference of 1945?

Winston Churchill

Who was the representative of The USA in the Tehran Conference of 1943 and the Yalta Conference of 1945 ?

Franklin Roosevelt

Who was the representative of The Soviet Union at the Tehran Conference of 1943 and the Yalta Conference of 1945?

Joseph Stalin

What were the main consequences of the Tehran Conference?

1. USA & Britain agreed to open up a second front against the Nazis by invading Nazi-Occupied France, and the soviets from the East (made it harder for Germany to fight 2 wars at the same time)

2. Soviet Union agreed with the US that they would declare war on Japan (Japan bombed the American Navy at Pearl Harbour on the 7th of December 1941)

3. Polands borders would be moved westwards; So Poland would gain territory from German land, and lose some to the Soviet Union.

4. An international organisation would be set up to settle future disputes between countries peacefully. (This paved way for the establishment of the United Nations )

What were the leader's responses to the Tehran Conference (first one) ?

For Stalin, it was a success as he gained land. Churchill was not so pleased.

When was the Yalta Conference?

February 1945

What were the main Consequences of the Yalta Conference?

1. Germany would be demilitarised, divided, and would have to pay reparations.

2. Britain and The USA pushed for Eastern Europe to have free and democratic elections, but compromised with Stalin who didn't agree, allowing Poland to exist in a 'Soviet sphere of influence'.

3. That international organisation would be the United Nations (UN), which was finally set up months later.

Who replaced the previous prime minister, Winston Churchill, in the Potsdam Conference of July/August 1945?

Clement Attlee (won the UK General Election in July 1945)

Who replaced the previous president Roosevelt in the Potsdam Conference of July/August 1945)

Harry S Truman

How did Roosevelt's death increase tensions between The US and The Soviet Union?

• Roosevelt was prepared to work with Stalin but died in April 1945 shortly before the Potsdam Conference in July/August.

• He was replaced by Harry Truman, who was more distrustful of The Soviet Union because Stalin didn't include multiple political parties in Poland, instead installing a communist democracy.

• Because the USA dropped 2 atomic bombs on Japan in August ( gave them a huge military advantage over other countries), Truman felt he could push Stalin around at the Potsdam Conference.

• Stalin didn't like this.

How did The Cold War become more about the relationship between The US and The USSR?

• Britain had finished on the winning side in 1945 but were economically exhausted by the war.

• Therefore, unable to stand up to the Soviet union on their own and became an ally only to the United States.

• The Cold War therefore became increasingly about the relationship between the two superpowers the United States and the Soviet Union.

What were the consequences of the Potsdom Conference in July/August 1945?

1. The Nazi-Party was banned in Germany and war criminals were prosecuted (Numberg trials)

2. Council of Foreign Ministers created to organise the rebuilding of Europe and settle peace treaties with Nazi allies.

3. Germany and Berlin to be divided into 4 zones and shared between The US, Britain, France, and The Soviet Union.

4. The Soviet Union was to receive 25% of the output from the other 3 zones