1. Conferences and Cold War

2.  Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)  In February 1945 (while the war was still being fought), the “Big Three” Churchill (England), Roosevelt (USA), Stalin (USSR) met in Yalta, USSR to discuss Europe after WWII  This is FDR’s last meeting (died in April 1945)

3.  At the Yalta Conference, the Allies discussed 6 topics: ▪ Unconditional Surrender – Allies wanted the unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers ▪ United Nations – The League of Nations did not stop WWII; Formed United Nations to keep the peace after the war led by U.S., England, France, Russia, and China ▪ War on Japan – Russia agreed to declare war on Japan (and help the USA invade Japan) after Germany surrendered in Europe

4.  Occupation of Germany – Allies would divide Austria, Germany, and capital Berlin into 4 occupied zones (controlled by USA, England, France, and USSR)

6.  Self Determination – Roosevelt and Churchill were afraid that Stalin would pressure Eastern Europe to become communist after WWII; wanted Self Determination (the right to choice democracy or communism) for the European countries freed from communism control by the USSR: Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria  Poland – Stalin agreed to self-determination IF the USSR could have part of Poland

8.  Eastern Europe  After Germany surrendered, Stalin began pressuring Eastern Europe countries to become communist  U.S. President Truman was unhappy with these new pro soviet governments; Demanded Stalin allow free elections as he agreed to at Yalta  Stalin refused to allow freely elections in Eastern Europe because he feared they would be anti- Soviet

9.  Atomic Bomb  While at Potsdam, Truman learned the atomic bomb was ready  Potsdam Declaration” – gave Japan ultimatum; unconditionally surrendered or face “prompt and utter destruction”

10. A. United Nations - United Nations was founded in 1945 right after World War II by the victorious allied forces to maintain peace and harmony in the world B. Creation of Israel - Creation of Israel, 1948. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel

11.  Nuremburg Trail - Twenty-four high-ranking Nazis go on trial in Nuremberg, Germany,... Nov 20, 1945  Decolonization - the process that an invading colony of peoples leaves a territory, and the land is retained by the natural born citizens/natives

12.  Cold War Begins  When the WWII finally ended, 2 superpowers remained: U.S. and USSR  U.S - capitalist and democratic: USSR – communist  Different beliefs led to a Cold War and a fight for supremacy throughout the world