The Potsdam Conference, 1945 Flashcards
What happened between Yalta and Potsdam?
USSR established governments in the territories it had liberated in EE, but the West refused to recognise these government because they were unelected
Why were the Western powers concerned?
USSR was taking reparations directly from liberated countries
How did Stalin carry out reparation?
Dismantled factories across EE and then reassembled them in Russia to rebuild the Soviet economy
Why were the Western powers worried about Stalin’s reparations?
they feared it would stifle economic recovery in EE, and so leave Eastern European countries economically dependent on the USSR
What were the problems at Potsdam?
Britain and USA’s commitment to democracy
USSR’s demand for a sphere of influence
What was agreed at Potsdam?
To de-nazify and disarm Germany
Why was Potsdam significant?
It demonstrated in spite of growing tensions the three big powers were still willing to work together
