Origins of the cold war (Conferences and emergence of superpowers)

Question 1

What were the two main conferences which helped bring about the foundations of the Cold War?

Answer 1

• Yalta (1945)

- Potsdam (1945)

Question 2

What were the relationships like at the Yalta (1945) conference?

Answer 2

• Relationships between big 3 were at highpoint, leading up to the defeat of Germany.
• Churchill still despised Stalin
• Roosevelt beginning to trust Stalin.

Question 3

What did Roosevelt say about Stalin?

Answer 3

“If i give him everything, he will work with me for a world of democracy and peace” ~ Roosevelt

Question 4

What were the discussions at Yalta?

Answer 4

• Request for USSR to join the fight against Japan. Soviets counter negotiate for recognition of sphere of influence over areas of Asia.
• Begin discussions about what to do with Germany after they were defeated.
• Poland Issue. Poland split so that one side could have free elections and the other would be kept communist under Soviet Russia.

Question 5

Who were the 3 individuals present at Potsdam?

Answer 5

• Clement Attlee (British)
• President Truman (AMERICA)
• Joseph Stalin (USSR)

Question 6

Why were divisions between the three becoming evident at Potsdam? (Tensions)

Answer 6

• America had developed the Atomic Bomb
• War was ending (no common enemy from now on)
• New faces (especially Truman, whose opinion on Stalin greatly differed from Roosevelt)

Question 7

What were the 4 issues discussed at Potsdam?

Answer 7

• T.R.A.P
• Territory. Germany split into 4 zones of influence, as well as Berlin itself.
• Reparations. Russia wanted the most reparations.
• Atomic Bomb
• Poland