Notes on World War II and Postwar Diplomacy

Allied Powers: United States, Great Britain, Soviet Union (unlikely partners).
Objective: To defeat Axis powers while managing conflicting political ideologies and ambitions.
Post-Mortem: Allied victory exposed contradictions within the alliance, foreshadowing conflicts in post-war diplomacy.

Presidency Transition:
FDR's 4th term nomination (1944) saw a shift in vice-presidential running mate from Henry Wallace to Harry Truman due to perceived radicalism.
Truman, a Missouri senator, took on leadership just as Roosevelt succumbed to health issues.
Impact on Diplomacy: Critics argue Roosevelt's health and administrative changes affected U.S.-Soviet relations.

Key Conferences among Big Three – FDR, Churchill & Stalin:
Casablanca Conference (Jan 1943):
- Focused on military strategy (invading Sicily & Italy).
- Demanded "unconditional surrender" from Axis powers.
Tehran Conference (Nov 1943):
- Agreement for the Allied invasion of France and Soviet invasion of Germany.
Yalta Conference (Feb 1945):
- Main Outcomes:
- Division of Germany into occupation zones.
- Poland's border adjustments, with territories ceded to Soviets.
- Commitment for free elections in Eastern European countries under Soviet control.
- Soviet entry into the war against Japan (Aug 8, 1945).
- Decision to establish the United Nations.
- Criticism of Roosevelt for allegedly "giving away" Eastern Europe to Soviets.
Potsdam Conference (July-Aug 1945):
- Truman, Attlee, and Stalin discuss Japan's unconditional surrender.
- Growing tensions regarding the treatment of Germany and Eastern Europe.

Human and Economic Costs:
Estimated global death toll: 70-80 million (1/3 Soviet); about 400,000 U.S. military fatalities.
Major economic effects: U.S. emergence as the dominant global power, little war damage compared to Europe and Japan.
The United Nations:
Formation of the UN discussed in 1944 at Dumbarton Oaks; charter drafted by representatives from 50 nations in Apr 1945.
Official Formation: UN came into existence on Oct 24, 1945.
Post-War Expectations:
Despite rising tensions with the Soviet Union (especially around atomic weaponry), Americans held hopes for a peaceful global order.
1946: U.S. proposed a disarmament plan that was vetoed by the Soviets, marking the onset of the Cold War.

Allied Powers: U.S., Great Britain, Soviet Union.
Objective: Defeat Axis powers while managing conflicting ideologies.
Post-Mortem: Victory revealed contradictions, foreshadowing future conflicts.

Presidency Transition: Truman took over as FDR's health declined; vice-presidential shift due to concerns over Wallace's radicalism.
Impact on Diplomacy: Roosevelt's health changes affected U.S.-Soviet relations.

Key Conferences—FDR, Churchill & Stalin:
Casablanca (Jan 1943): Military strategy and unconditional Axis surrender.
Tehran (Nov 1943): Agreements for invasion of France and Germany.
Yalta (Feb 1945):
Division of Germany.
Poland's border changes.
Commitment to free elections in Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe.
Soviet entry against Japan.
Decision to establish the UN.
Critique of Roosevelt for conceding Eastern Europe.
Potsdam (July-Aug 1945): Discussions on Japan and tensions over Germany/Eastern Europe.

Human and Economic Costs: 70-80 million deaths, 400,000 U.S. military fatalities; U.S. emerged as economic power.
The United Nations: Formation discussed in 1944; official existence on Oct 24, 1945.
Post-War Expectations: Hopes for peace despite rising U.S.-Soviet tensions; 1946 disarmament plan vetoed by Soviets marked Cold War onset.