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Yalta Conference (February 1945)

It had become clear that Germany was going to lose WWII. In February 1945, Britain, the Soviet Union (USSR), and the USA met in Yalta to discuss post-war Europe. The leaders present were Winston Churchill (Prime Minister of Britain), Joseph Stalin (Leader of the USSR), and Franklin D. Roosevelt (President of the USA).

Aims of the Big Three

  • Winston Churchill (Britain): Did not trust Stalin and did not want to compromise with him.

  • Joseph Stalin (USSR): WWII had devastated the USSR, and Stalin wanted to make sure that it could not happen again. He wanted protection for the Soviet Union and was prepared to negotiate with Britain and the USA.

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA): Committed to working with Stalin to rebuild Europe, but wanted a post-war Europe built on capitalist principles.

Decisions Made at Yalta

  • Declaration on Liberated Europe: Agreed to free all areas of Europe that had been controlled by Germany during the war. Each of these countries was to hold free elections to set up an emergency democratic government.

  • Poland's Borders and Government:

    • Poland's borders were altered so that the USSR gained a huge amount of territory as compensation for their help during the war.

    • The 'Lublin' government agreed to allow in some non-Communist 'London' Poles and hold free elections.

    • Tension increased around Poland as the Soviets were keen to maintain their influence with a communist government, whilst the US and Britain were keen for the old Polish government to run the country.

  • Division of Germany: Germany was to be split into four occupational zones (French, British, American, and Soviet). This was an emergency measure until all the Allies could come to a more permanent agreement about how Germany should be governed. Reparations would be collected individually by each allied country from their zone of occupation.

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

WWII ended in Europe in May 1945. Britain, the USA, and the USSR met in Potsdam, Germany, in July 1945 to further discuss post-war Europe.

Context and Leadership Changes

  • Great Britain: Clement Attlee became the new Prime Minister.

  • USA: Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away before the war ended; Vice President Harry Truman took over. Truman did not trust Stalin.

  • Soviet Stance: Now that the war in Europe was over and the Red Army occupied most of Eastern Europe, Stalin was far less willing to compromise.

Decisions and Tensions at Potsdam

  • Poland: Stalin had only paid 'lip service' to the Yalta agreements. By July, tensions increased when Allied leaders realized Stalin had not allowed the London Poles into the Lublin government nor held free elections.

  • Eastern Europe: Stalin rejected British and American attempts to have a greater say in Eastern Europe due to the Red Army's military presence. It became unlikely that the Declaration on Liberated Europe would be upheld.

  • German Occupation: The final boundaries of the four occupational zones of Germany were officially agreed upon.

  • Atomic Bomb: The USA announced during the conference that it had developed and tested a nuclear bomb, creating a tense atmosphere as Stalin realized the USA had gained the upper hand in power.