The Conferences which lead to the beginning of the Cold War

Tehran conference, November 1943

The Grand alliance (United States, United Kingdom and the Soviet Union) leaders , Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin met at Tehran, Iran to plan a strategy to win the war   Agreements All three leaders agreed to open a second front on the Eastern Front.  Stalin promised to help the USA defeat the Japanese but only when the war in Europe was over.  They also agreed that Germany should stay weak.  Most importantly they agreed that an international body must be set up to settle conflicts ( Known as the United Nations today)

Impact:     Before the conference Stalin believed that the USA and Britain were intending to postpone the opening of the second front. However he was pleased about the opening of a second front  The leaders thought of where to open the second front.  Despite some signs of Roosevelt not trusting Stalin that much in the past , they had very good relations.

Yalta conference, February 1945

A second front was opened in France Germany was defeated and the Soviet Union controlled most of central and eastern Europe.    Discussions were put in place about the future of post-war britain Agreements   Germany would be split into four zones controlled by each power, France, UK, USA and USSR.  Germany would pay 20 billion for reparations.  The Nazi party was banned and war criminals were prosecuted.  The UN was formed. 

Disagreements  Stalin wanted all 16 Soviet republics to be given individual memberships of to the United Nations. Britain and France disagreed but Russia, Ukraine and Belarus were admitted   Issues over Poland- It was agreed that the border of Poland should be returned to their position , fortunately for the USSR . But Stalin wanted to ensure a Pro Communist government in Poland.  The London Poles (The Polish Government which was in exile after it was invaded) wanted to have an election. 

Potsdam Conference: July-August 1945

Changes after Yalta:   Roosevelt died and was replaced by Harry S. Truman a man who was against communism and determined to take a tough approach on Stalin.  Churchill lost the election and was replaced by Clement Atlee. However there were issues he needed to deal with in Britain and therefore he was rushing discussions to get back to Britain.   Germany had surrendered- The war was over : )   The USA had developed the atomic bomb which later on will be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.                

Agreements:        The main objective of the Postdam Conference was to finalise a post war settlement and put all the agreements from the Yalta Conference into action.  Germany would be divided into 4 zones  Berlin (Part of the Soviet zone) would be divided as well.  Each country should take reparations from its own zone.  The Soviet Union had the Poorest Zones.             ​​​​​​​

Postdam conference: Continued.....

Disagreements:    One problem was over the governments of eastern Europe; How should they be formed?, who would rule them?. Stalin wanted Security for the USSR, so he wanted pro communist governments.  Reparations of Germany- Stalin wanted Germany to pay a significant amount, whereas the USA and Britain thought this was not fair to  Germany's recovery.

Extra info:   The USA successfully tested the first atomic bomb a day before the conference.  Truman told Stain about it but didn't want to share any technology used.  Stalin was suspicious and encouraged himself to start an 'Arms race'.  The Arms Race caused the tension to increase for another war. America developed the H bomb and in 1952 the USSR did the same.  Both superpowers began to continue building nuclear weapons. 

Recommend websites for more info/ revision

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/z3h9mnb/revision/4     https://quizlet.com/17308362/the-cold-war-origins-flash-cards/             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5ZdgjY8I7E

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