The Yalta and Potsdam Conferences

When was the Yalta Conference?

February 1945

What was discussed about Germany and Austria? (Yalta)

Germany and Austria would be divided into 4 zones of occupation controlled by the four allied powers.

What was the Declaration of Liberated Europe (1945)? (Yalta)

The Big Three agreed to support the democratic processes (elections) in the new representative governments (European nations liberated from Nazi occupation).

What were the Polish government? (Yalta)

During WW2 a government of Poles were exiled due to the Nazi invasion and they were given refuge in London. They wanted Western recognition and the London government had anti-Soviet Polish nationalists which were incompatible with Stalin's aims, leading to the set up of the Lublin (a Polish city) government.

What did Stalin want at Yalta?

Stalin wanted $10 billion in reparations and he had initially agreed to hold 'free' and 'fair' elections in Poland.

The War against Japan (Yalta)

FDR wanted Soviet commitment to enter the war against Japan within 3 months after the end of war in Europe (after Germany surrendered). He, also, wanted to keep American casualties low, he would use Soviet soldiers to save the lives of American soldiers.

Developments between Yalta and Potsdam

Roosevelt died and he was replaced with President Truman. Germany surrendered on the 8th of May 1945 and Hitler died in April. The Manhattan Project (atom bomb development) was successful in July 1945 and A-bombs were dropped on Hiroshima (6th August) and Nagasaki (9th August).

Was this the last shot of WW2 or the first shot of the Cold War?

The Labour Party won in a landslide victory and Churchill was replaced with Prime Minister Atlee.

When was the Potsdam Conference?

July-August 1945

What happened with Eastern Europe (Potsdam)?

The German-Polish border was discussed and regarding Poland ,and the USSR's annexation of Eastern Europe, Stalin proposed compensating Poland with Eastern German territory.

The USA and the UK accepted a Soviet-dominated Poland and former German territory.

The Atomic Bomb (Potsdam)

Truman used atomic diplomacy and he took a tough line with the Soviets. The bomb had no noticeable effect on Stalin's policy in Eastern Europe. He refused to hold elections and wanted Western recognition of their governments.

What happened at Potsdam?

Demilitarisation and De-Nazification after WW2 had ended and reparations were paid ($10 billion to the USSR).