Yalta/Potsdam, the Iron Curtain, and Truman Doctrine. Flashcards
Yalta Conference when
February 1945)
Yalta Conference who
Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA)
Winston Churchill (UK)
Joseph Stalin (USSR)
Yalta Conference what
Division of Germany into four zones (USA, UK, USSR, France)
Free elections in Eastern Europe (Poland, etc.)
Creation of the United Nations
USSR to join war against Japan after Germany’s defeat
Yalta Conference impact
Stalin wanted more influence in Eastern Europe to create a buffer zone against the West.
Disagreement over Poland’s government.
Potsdam Conference when
July-August 1945
Potsdam Conference who
Who attended:
Harry S. Truman (USA, replacing Roosevelt)
Clement Attlee (UK, replacing Churchill)
Joseph Stalin (USSR)
Potsdam Conference what
Key Developments:
Germany officially divided into four zones.
Disagreements: Truman’s distrust of Stalin grew, especially over reparations and Soviet intentions in Eastern Europe.
The USA had successfully tested the atomic bomb (kept secret from Stalin, but he already knew through spies).
Potsdam Conference impact
Tension:
Stalin insisted on control over Eastern Europe.
Truman’s tougher stance on the USSR led to increased distrust.
The Iron Curtain Speech when
March 1946
The Iron Curtain Speech who
Speaker: Winston Churchill
Location: Fulton, Missouri, USA
The Iron Curtain Speech what
Key Idea:
Churchill warned of the division of Europe. He described the influence of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe as an “Iron Curtain” descending across the continent.
The Iron Curtain Speech impact
Impact:
Increased fear of communism in the West.
Viewed by the USSR as an aggressive speech, furthering tensions.
Truman Doctrine when
March 1947
Truman Doctrine who
Harry S Truman
Truman Doctrine what
Purpose:
Containment: Stop the spread of communism (communism vs capitalism).
What was it?
President Truman’s policy to provide economic and military aid to countries threatened by communism, especially Greece and Turkey.
