3_Conferences of WWII

Allied Conferences

I. The Tehran Conference (1943)

• First meeting of the Big Three – Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin – in Tehran, Persia (Iran), Nov 1943.

• Main aim: plan Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France (Operation Overlord).

• Stalin wanted this to ease pressure on the USSR, as the Red Army was the only one fighting Nazis on land.

• Outcome:

  • USA & Britain to invade France by May 1944.

  • USSR to join the war against Japan once Germany was defeated.

Paragraph:
The Tehran Conference (Nov 1943) was the first meeting of Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin. Its main goal was to coordinate the invasion of Nazi-occupied France to relieve pressure on the Soviet forces. Stalin strongly supported this plan. The Allies agreed that the USA and Britain would invade France by May 1944, and the USSR would join the war against Japan after Germany’s defeat.

II. The Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)

• Held at Yalta in Crimea; attended by the Big Three.

• Objective: decide what to do with Germany after an Allied victory seemed certain.

• Outcomes:

  • Germany and Berlin divided into four zones (USSR, USA, Britain, France).

  • Free elections in countries liberated from Nazi control (Declaration on Liberated Europe).

  • Stalin given a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe → communist dominance allowed.

  • USSR to join war against Japan after Germany’s defeat.

  • Nazi war criminals to be tried.

  • Creation of the United Nations to ensure international peace.

Paragraph:
At Yalta in February 1945, the Big Three planned post-war Europe. They agreed to divide Germany and Berlin into four zones, each controlled by one Allied power, and to hold free elections in liberated nations. However, Stalin was granted a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, allowing communist control there. The USSR promised to enter the war against Japan, Nazi leaders were to face trial, and the United Nations would be established to prevent future conflicts.

III. The Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

• Held near Berlin; final meeting of the Big Three.

• Attendees changed: Truman replaced Roosevelt, and Attlee replaced Churchill mid-conference.

• Aim: finalise post-war settlement and implement Yalta decisions.

• Disagreements arose due to:

  1. Leadership change – Truman was more anti-communist and distrustful of Stalin.

  2. Nuclear threat – USA had tested an atomic bomb; Truman informed Stalin, worsening tension.

  3. Communism – Stalin ignored free elections, setting up a communist government in Poland.

• Truman’s background: not close to Roosevelt, unaware of the Manhattan Project, strongly anti-communist, believed atomic bombings saved lives.

• Outcome: little progress beyond confirming Yalta decisions; tension increased between USA and USSR.

Paragraph:
The Potsdam Conference (July 1945) was marked by tension and disagreement. Leadership changes—Truman replacing Roosevelt and Attlee replacing Churchill—made relations colder. Truman’s strong anti-communist stance and the U.S. possession of the atomic bomb increased mistrust. Stalin’s refusal to allow free elections in Eastern Europe further deepened divisions. Although the Allies agreed to act on Yalta’s decisions, little progress was made, setting the stage for the Cold War.

Summary Table (Comparison)