Conferences of the Cold War

Conferences of the Cold War

1. Teheran : November 1943

   • Meeting mainly a success for Stalin
     • Because Roosevelt was unwell - sided with Stalin rather than Churchill
   • AGREEMENTS
     • US/UK agree to open a second front
       • (by invading France)
     • USSR agere to invade Japan once Germany is defeated
     • United Nations to be set up to restore peace
   • DISAGREEMENTS
     • Stalin felt that US/UK wanted to cripple soviet army in order to attack
       • Because they had delayed opening a second front
     • Tension between UK/USSR
       • Churchill hated communists and the Bolshevik Revolution
   • SITUATION
     • Roosevelt keen to improve relations
     • Big Three : Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill

2. Yalta : February 1945

   • SITUATION
     • Big Three : Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill
     • Germany close to defeat
     • Met to discuss what to do with Europe
   • AGREEMENTS
     • Germany and Berlin to be divided into 4 zones
       • UK
       • US
       • USSR
       • France
     • Hunt down and trial Nazi leaders/politicians
     • USSR agere to invade Japan once Germany is defeated
   • DISAGREEMENTS
     • Amount of reparations for Germany - Stalin wanted to cripple their economy
       • No decision made - postponed to next conference
     • Stalin wanted Polish/German border further west - BUFFER ZONE
     • Stalin also wanted Soviet-friendly gov in Poland

3. Potsdam : July 1945

   • SITUATION
     • New leaders
       • Less familiarity between them
       • Stalin, Atlee, Truman
   • AGREEMENTS
     • Germany and Berlin to be divided into 4 zones
       • (As previously discussed)
     • Changes in Germany
       • To be demilitarised
       • Introduction of free elections to create a democracy
     • Reparations to be paid out by Germany
       • Mainly to the USSR due to suffering most
   • DISAGREEMENTS
     • US lowered reparations from original numbers set by Stalin
       • Truman saw trading potential in Germany
     • Truman wanted free elections for Soviet countries
       • Stalin refused - this worsened relations