Chapter 1: Yalta Conference Flashcards
When was the Yalta Conference?
February 1945. Attended by Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin.
What were the concerns of the Western Powers before Yalta regarding USSR?
Conscious that many Eastern European states had been liberated from Nazi occupation by the USSR.
What was Roosevelt committed to after the War? How was Stalin in conflict with this view?
He was committed to post-War reconstruction based on unity among victorious powers but Stalin’s guarentee of security through a network of EE allies was in conflict with this view. This was the focus of tension in the weeks leading up to Yalta.
What did Yalta confirm in the eyes of the public?
They met in preparation for the imminent end of War. It confirmed in the eyes of the public that the Grand Alliance was alive and well and were committed to peace.
What did the USA and UK want to be agreed at Yalta?
Collected security from the UN, cooperation with USSR, no spheres of influence, Germany’s reconstruction and re-education as a democratic nation and world economic reconstruction through creation of IMF and World Bank.
What did the USSR want to be agreed Yalta?
USSR wanted to be in control of its own destiny, cooperation with the Anglo-Americans, USSR’s security through EE, Germany to remain weak and economic reconstruction for USSR at Germany’s expense.
What were the agreements at Yalta?
Germany to be divided into 4 zones, each administered by the USA, USSR, UK and France, Berlin also. UN would be formally ratified, USSR gained land from Poland, and Poland was expanded, and a declaration on liberated Europe should be created.
What illusion did Yalta present?
Yalta appeared to give great cause for optimism and there seemed to be clear areas of agreement but in relationships were deteriorating.
What was the state of the USSR after WW2? What did Stalin become obsessed with as a result of this?
WW2 had devastated Soviet Union, 25 million were dead and there was widespread destruction. So, Stalin became obsessed with security, he viewed his allies as anti-USSR, but wanted to keep open an avenue of cooperation with the West. In Europe, he focused on ensuring EE was within the Soviet sphere of influence and turning Germany into a communist state.
What was Roosevelt committed to after WW2? How did this relate to the USSR?
He was committed to cooperation as a lasting post-War settlement, but thought the post War world should reflect the American concept of democracy and this was in the interests of everyone including the USSR in his opinion- since it would provide security.
What was Roosevelt certain he could secure in EE?
He could secure a democratic, non-communist future for EE and international affairs could be amanged be the UN (a peacekeeping organisation).
What was Roosevelt criticised for?
Naivety and underestimating the security needs of the Soviet Union in terms of Eastern Europe.
What was Churchill’s attitude to the USSR? Why was it important to establish an alliance with the USA?
He was convinced it was Stalin’s intention to expand Soviet power in post-War Europe. Was threatened by Stalin so it was important to establish an alliance with the USA.
What effect did WW2 have on Churchill’s attitude?
His belief that it was important to establish an alliance with the USA because of fear of USSR assumed greater urgncy give the economic impact of War in Britain.
What did Churchill say 1944 April regarding the USSR?
Wrote to foreign secretary, Eden “I cannot feel the slightest trust or confidence in them (USSR). Fore and facts are their only realities”.
