1.1 - US, British, USSR relations in 1945 Flashcards
1
Q
What was Soviet foreign policy determined by?
A
- USSR encircled by hostile powers
- desire to overcome effects of international isolationism
- Stalinisation of Eastern Europe necessary for safety
2
Q
What was US foreign policy based on?
A
- commitment to capitalism
- liberal democracy was superior
- would become global policeman
3
Q
When was the Yalta Conference?
A
February 1945
4
Q
What was agreed on at Yalta?
A
- Declaration on Liberated Europe - Free elections would be held in Eastern Europe (incl. Poland)
- Poland shifted left at expense of German land
- USSR would declare war on Japan 3 months after end of war
- Formation of United Nations
- Germany and Berlin would be divided - American, British, French and Soviet zones
- Stalin agreed Polish government in exile (London) could join communist Lublin government
5
Q
What agreements were not reached at Yalta?
A
Reparations
6
Q
How were relationships between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill?
A
- Stalin and Roosevelt had a fairly good relationship
- Churchill very anti-Communist but had a fair relationship with Stalin
- High hopes on both sides they could work together in the future
7
Q
When was the Percentages Agreement?
A
1944
8
Q
When was the Potsdam Conference?
A
July 1945
9
Q
What was agreed at Potsdam?
A
- Germany demilitarised, de-nazification
- division of Germany and Berlin confirmed with actions coordinated by Allied Control Council
- reparations settled at 23 billion dollars mostly in manufacturing
- 25% of industrial profit in Western zones given to ussr, who missed out on ruhr and rineland
10
Q
Why caused tension and disagreements at Potsdam over Germany?
A
- Stalin wanted to cripple Germany with reparations (weak, non-threatening, massive Soviet loss in WWII)
- Truman weary (Treaty of Versailles)
- wanted revived Germany for European trade and American financial interests
- Truman opposed Soviet offer of reunified but weak and neutral Germany - feared absorption into Soviet sphere of influence.
11
Q
How many total deaths did the USSR suffer in WWII
A
24 million
12
Q
Aside from Germany, what increased tension at Potsdam?
A
- US tested atomic bombs ( potential use on USSR) day before Potsdam.
- Stalin didn’t stick to Declaration on Liberated Europe and Communist Lublin Government still in Poland.
13
Q
How were relations between Stalin, Truman and Attlee?
A
- Truman and Atlee lacked experience in dealing with Stalin
- Atlee had no sympathy for Communism
- Anti-communists in the US thought Truman was weak. Truman was harsh with Stalin to disprove them.
- Truman distrusted Stalin more than Roosevelt had
- little hope of working relationship
14
Q
Describe the reparation agreements reached at Potsdam
A
- Reparations at $23 billion mostly in manufacturing
- 25% of industrial profit in Western zones would be given to USSR, who missed out on the Ruhr and Rineland
