2. Yalta And The Aims Of The Big Three Flashcards
What was the great alliance?
Soviet Union allied with Britain and France and USA in ww2.
This happened as Stalin forced into it as germany invaded the SU in 1941, so aims were aligned
Why was stain angry at Britain and USA initially? (During ww2)
Stalin annoyed that briwrian wnd USA delayed opening a second front (did later in 44 with d day landings). He was convinced that the West were waiting until the Su was really damaged by Germany…
What is chuchill’s outlook on SU and Poland?
1) staunch opponent of communism, supporting white army before
2) he suspicious of Stalin as he suspected once Germany liberated soviet troops would stay in those countries
3) became even more suspicious when Katyn massacre happened…
What was the Katyn massacre and why was it significant?
Where the bodies of 4000 polish officers were found in the Katyn forest, making Churchill and west even more suspicious of Stalin motives(causing Stalin to break diplomatic relation with the London poles after they called for a Red Cross inquiry.) (1943 April)
What was the percentage agreement? Give an example
When Stalin and Churchill decided relative SU and western interest in Eastern European countries before the end of WW2. E.g. 90% of Romania belonged to the SU and 10% to the west
When was the Tehran conference (Iran) in?
Who did it?
Why?
1943 NOVEMBER
Stalin, Roosevelt Churchill
After polish’s ruff Roosevelt wanted allies to improve relationships
Who was it a main success for and why (what rejected?) (so red army what?)
Mainly a success for Stalin as he got what he wanted.
This because Roosevelt was not well and AGREED more with STALIN, then Churchill.
Eg: Churchill idea of ALLIED invasion through balkans, meaning the red wryly wouldn’t then be able to freely take over Europe was rejected…
What were 4 main agreements agreed in Tehran?
1) Britain and USA agreed to open up a second front by invading France in (may 1944)
2) SU ti wage war against Japan after Germany defeated
3) UN to be set up after war
4) AN AREA OF eastern Poland was added to the Soviet Union. On Stalin’s request, the border of poland would be along the Oder and Neisse rivers….
Why yalta?
Allows closing in on victory with win , so decided what to do after wins nd deal with Hitler.
What were the western aims of the yalta conference?
- liberated countries across Eastern Europe should have the right to self determination with no spheres of influence
- both sides should cooperate
- Germany should be rebuilt as an independent democratic country
- help to the global economy by creating the World bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- UN formation should avoid another war
When was the Yalta conference?
4 February 1945
What were the SU’s aims at the Yalta conference?
- Germany’s industry should pay to rebuild damage caused by ww2
- a sphere of influence around the SU should be created
- both sides should continue to cooperate
- Germany should remain weak so it doesn’t become a threat again
- rejection of the IMF, world bank and ability to make decisions
What was Churchill’s position at Yalta?
- Wanted to protect British interests
- wanted to gain a closeness with the USA
- struggled to understand Stalin’s viewpoint
- naturally mistrusted Stalin as a strong anti communist
Give some info of Roosevelt at Yalta.
- he was committed to working with the SU and got on well with Stalin
- believed that only a capitalist Europe could prevent future war
- some argue he misunderstood Stalin’s aims assuming they want the same thing
Give some info of Stalin at Yalta
- wanted to make sure the SU would never be devastated again
- believed creating the soviet sphere of influence was the best way to achieve security
- recognised the need to cooperate with the west
