Conferences and Cold War The End of World War II Conferences and Cold War
End of the War in Europe May 7, 1945—Germany surrendered US, England, Russia met to reconstruct Europe after the war: Yalta Conference (Feb 1945) Potsdam Conference (July, Aug 1945)
Yalta Conference “Big Three” (Churchill of England, Roosevelt of USA, Stalin of USSR) met to discuss Europe after WW2 This is FDR’s last meeting (died in April)
Yalta Conference 6 Topics Discussed: Want unconditional surrender of Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) League of Nations was ineffective—US, England, Russia, France, China should form United Nations (international organization to keep peace after war)
Yalta Conference Topics Discussed: Russia would declare war on Japan (& help USA invade Japan) after Germany surrendered Divide Austria, Germany & capital Berlin into 4 occupied zones (controlled US, England, France, & USSR)
Yalta Conference Topics Discussed: Roosevelt & Churchill were afraid Stalin would make Eastern Europe communist after war; they wanted Self Determination (right to choose democracy or communist) for Eastern European Countries: Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, & Bulgaria
Yalta Conference Stalin agreed to self-determination if he could have part of Poland; Poland—should have free elections
Potsdam Conference (Stalin, Truman, Churchill)
Potsdam Conference After German surrender, Stalin began pressuring Eastern European countries to become communist Truman unhappy with these new pro-Soviet governments; Demanded Stalin allow free elections as he agreed to at Yalta Stalin refused to allow freely elected governments in Eastern Europe; feared they would be anti-Soviet
Beginning of the Cold War When the World War 2 finally ended, 2 superpowers remained: US & USSR USA—capitalist & democratic; USSR— communist Different beliefs led to Cold War; fight for control of European countries & supremacy throughout the world VS
What happened with Japan? Japan had to surrender unconditionally. MacArthur took over the rebuilding process of Japan The U.S. forcibly wrote their constitution. The Constitution stated Japan could not rebuild its Navy, Airforce, and Army. The Emperors power was taken away. He was more of a figurehead. (Ex: Queen Elizabeth) The power will come from parliament.
After the Holocaust As Jews returned home they realized that their homes had been taken over. Many citizens were still anti-Semitic. Citizens believed the Jews would come back and try to take over. They also believed Jews would make rituals against them. Many survivors moved Westward and lived in displacement camp.
Cont. Immigration to other countries was limited. Including the United States. The Jews wanted to move to Palestine, present day Israel. Britain was in control of Palestine and restricted Jews from moving there. Palestine was an Arab nation.
The creation of Israel Britain’s mandate over Palestine ended in 1948 The U.N. made Palestine into Israel, it would be divided into Jewish and Arab sections. Both the Jews and Arabs believe that Israel is a Holy land that was granted to them by God. The creation of Israel caused many problems between both of them. Those problems still exist, there is a never ending war between them.
Where is Israel?