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Reasons for the Cold War: the wartime conferences
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The USA, Britain and the USSR were allies against Hitler. But at the wartime conferences, their differences began to show.
Different ideas
USA: capitalism and democracy: free elections, private business.
USSR: communism: one-party rule, state control of the economy.
The USSR had been invaded through Eastern Europe and wanted a protective buffer zone there.
USSR: communism: one-party rule, state control of the economy.
The USSR had been invaded through Eastern Europe and wanted a protective buffer zone there.
Tehran and Yalta
Tehran (1943): Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin agreed to open a second front in France.
Yalta (February 1945): Germany would be divided into zones; free elections would be held in liberated Eastern Europe; the USSR would join the war against Japan. Poland's future caused disagreement.
Yalta (February 1945): Germany would be divided into zones; free elections would be held in liberated Eastern Europe; the USSR would join the war against Japan. Poland's future caused disagreement.
Potsdam, July to August 1945
Roosevelt had died; Truman, more suspicious of Stalin, now led the USA. Attlee replaced Churchill during the conference.
They agreed details on dividing Germany and Berlin, but argued about reparations and Poland.
Truman told Stalin about a powerful new weapon: the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in August 1945.
They agreed details on dividing Germany and Berlin, but argued about reparations and Poland.
Truman told Stalin about a powerful new weapon: the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in August 1945.
Why were relations worse at Potsdam than at Yalta?
- Truman had replaced Roosevelt and was more suspicious of Stalin.
- Soviet troops now controlled Eastern Europe.
- The USA had the atomic bomb, which increased mistrust.
Answer: New leaders, Soviet control of Eastern Europe and the atomic bomb increased mistrust.
Ideological differences: capitalism versus communism. Tehran (1943): second front. Yalta (1945): Germany divided, free elections promised. Potsdam (1945): Truman more hostile; disputes over reparations and Poland; the atomic bomb increased mistrust.
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