1. Conferences and Cold War
The End of World War II
Conferences and
Cold War

2. 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 )

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

7. Yalta Conference Topics Discussed:
Roosevelt & Churchill afraid Stalin would make Eastern Europe communist after war; wanted Self Determination (right to choose democracy or communist) for Eastern European Countries: Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, & Bulgaria

8. Yalta Conference
Stalin agreed to self-determination if could have part of Poland; Poland—should have free elections

9. Potsdam Conference (Stalin, Truman, Churchill)

10. 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

12. Potsdam Conference
While at Potsdam, Truman learns the atomic bomb is ready
‘Potsdam Declaration’— gave Japan ultimatum: unconditionally surrender or face "prompt and utter destruction"

13. After war video

14. 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