Ending World War II

Yalta Conference February 4-11, 1945 The “Big 3” met in Yalta to decide on actions that would follow the war Decided that after the war, an international court would try those suspected of war crimes. Roosevelt and Churchill could not reach an agreement with Stalin on the future of Poland…free elections at a later date Stalin agreed to hold free elections in Eastern European states, but went back on his promise

Costs of War All countries involved dealt with massive casualties US: 1.7 million killed or wounded Germany: 5.5 million killed China: 3 million Japan: 2 million USSR: 10.7 million soldiers and 12 million civilians Holocaust: 11 million killed by Nazis Physical terrain of Europe and Japan was devastated

Two “Superpowers” Emerge US emerged from the war as the most powerful nation in the world Even though the USSR suffered massive casualties, their industrial power remained and military had proven its strength US and USSR had different goals at the end of the war US: continue prosperity and transition to a peacetime economy, still supply military goods to world countries USSR: prevent future attacks from Germany…create a buffer zone by solidifying Eastern European countries into the USSR Sets the stage for the Cold War

Changing the Map of Europe The “Big 3” at Yalta agreed to the following for Germany Dismantle the military Prosecute war criminals Provide minimal economic aid to civilians Divide Germany into 4 occupation zones, one for US, USSR, GB, and France Later, US, GB, and French zones become West Germany, and USSR zone becomes East Germany

The United Nations Before Yalta, world leaders met in the US to discuss revising the League of Nations Goal: provide a forum for nations to settle conflicts with diplomacy to avoid another world war Forum: The United Nations At Yalta, leaders agreed that the 5 permanent members of the Security Council would have veto power…meaning that all 5 members had to agree on a resolution for it to pass US UK France USSR China