1943-1945: The Conferences Flashcards

1
Q

When were the Teheran, Yalta and Potsdam Conferences?

A

Teheran - Nov/Dec 1943
Yalta - Feb 1945
Potsdam - July 1945

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2
Q

What were the main agreements at Teheran in 1943?

A
  • Britain and the USA agreed to open a second front by invading France in May 1944 - although this was later than Stalin wanted and he believed the USA and Britain were deliberately delaying the opening of the front to weaken the USSR as much as possible
  • The USSR would wage war against Japan once Germany was defeated
  • United Nations would be set up
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3
Q

Who gained most from Teheran?

A

Stalin - he got most of what he wanted (a second front and eastern Poland).

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4
Q

At Teheran, who felt slightly isolated and why?

A

Churchill - his idea of an Allied invasion through the Balkans (to prevent a Soviet control of Eastern Europe) was rejected

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5
Q

What had Churchill done during the Russian Civil War that angered Stalin?

A

Supported the White Army, opponents of the Bolsheviks (communists)

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6
Q

What event in April 1943 made Churchill more suspicious of Stalin’s intentions towards Poland?

A

The discovered by German troops of a mass grave in Katyn Forest which contained the bodies of 10,000 Polish officers murdered by the Soviets

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7
Q

Why was Poland so vital to the USSR?

A

Stalin wanted it as a ‘buffer zone’ to protect against future invasion. It was through Poland that Napoleon (1812), the Kaiser (WWI) and Hitler (WWII) had attacked Russia in the past.

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8
Q

Why did the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 further Churchill’s suspicions of Stalin?

A

The Soviet army waited outside Warsaw as the German army crushed a rebellion by the Polish. This also left Poland defenceless agaisnt Soviet occupation.

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9
Q

What was the background to the Yalta Conference in February 1945?

A

The Allies were closing in on Berlin (and victory) and were meeting to consider what to do with Europe after the war’s end

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10
Q

At Yalta, what did they agree to do with Germany?

A

To divide it into four zones (US, British, French and Soviet). Berlin would be split the same way.

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11
Q

At Yalta, what did the USSR again agree to following German surrender

A

To declare war on Japan

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12
Q

At Yalta, what was agreed about those countries freed from Nazi occupation

A

That free elections would be held

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13
Q

At Yalta, did all three countries commit to joining the United Nations? What was the significance of this?

A

Yes. This was significant because it suggests the USA, GB and USSR were looking to continue working together after the war had finished - despite ideological differences

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14
Q

At Yalta, what was agreed about Poland?

A

It should be run in a ‘Soviet sphere of influence’ but run on ‘a broader democratic basis’

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15
Q

Did relations between the Big Three improve or grow more tense as a result of Yalta?

A

Relations improved, owing largely to the fact that Stalin and FDR got on well (so did FDR and Churchill). Although tensions remained about the future of Poland (US/GB didn’t want it turning communist/USSR wanted it as a buffer zone to protect it from invasion).

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16
Q

Prior to Potsdam, who died and why was that significant?

A

Roosevelt died. Truman became President. Truman was strongly anti-communist, didn’t have the relationship with Stalin that Roosevelt did, and was less willing to compromise with him.

17
Q

Why did Truman delay the first meeting of the conference?

A

To test the atomic bomb

18
Q

Why was the testing of the atomic bomb significant?

A

Truman hadn’t told Stalin about it. This made Stalin suspicious of Truman.

19
Q

Which leader was replaced at Potsdam?

A

Churchill lost the 1945 General Election to Clement Attlee and was replaced

20
Q

What other key event had occurred prior to the Potsdam Conference?

A

Germany had been defeated (although Japan had not), so the Big Three were no longer fighting a common enemy

21
Q

What key agreements were made relating to Germany at the Potsdam Conference?

A

Confirmed that Germany and Berlin would be divided into four sectors; Germany would be reduced in size

22
Q

What was agreed at Potsdam relating to reparations?

A

The USSR would take 1/4 of the industrial equipment from the other three zones, but would provide the other zones with raw materials

23
Q

What was Truman’s attitude at Potsdam?

A

He attempted to assert his authority, using the atomic bomb as ‘the master card’. Churchill said Truman ‘generally bossed the whole meeting’

24
Q

Other than Truman’s arrogance, what else strained relations at Postdam?

A

It had been previously agreed that Poland would have a govt. with both communists and capitalists. By Potsdam, it was clear the USSR had not allowed this to happen.

25
Q

Did Potsdam increase or relax tension?

A

It increased tension. Outwardly there was unity. but insiders were aware of the bitter divisions below the surface, and worried of a new war.