Yalta And Potsdam Conference Flashcards
(34 cards)
When did the Cold War start and end?
1945-1991
Who was the war between with?
USA and USSR
What is meant by the term ‘cold war’ ?
- state of political and military tension
- there were no large scale fighting directly between the eastern and western bloc
- there were proxy wars
- the two superpowers never engaged in combat
- both were heavily armed and in preperation
Potsdam conference
When was the Potsdam Conference held?
From July 17 to August 2, 1945
Where did the Potsdam Conference take place?
Near Berlin, Germany
What was the main purpose of the Potsdam Conference?
To decide how to manage the aftermath of World War II and shape the postwar world
Which leaders attended the Potsdam Conference?
Leaders of the Allied powers
Who were the ‘Big Three’ Allied leaders at the Potsdam Conference?
Joseph Stalin, Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill (later replaced by Clement Attlee)
Joseph Stalin represented the Soviet Union, Harry S. Truman was the newly appointed President of the United States, and Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom until replaced by Clement Attlee.
What was one of the main goals regarding postwar Germany discussed at the Potsdam Conference?
The Allies agreed to divide Germany and Berlin into four occupation zones
The zones were controlled by the U.S., U.K., Soviet Union, and France.
What measures did the Allies agree to implement in Germany?
- Demilitarize
- Denazify
- Democratize
- Decentralize
These measures were aimed at transforming Germany after the war.
What agreement was made regarding Nazi war criminals?
To prosecute Nazi war criminals
This was part of the Allies’ commitment to justice after World War II.
What territorial adjustments were discussed at the conference?
- Shifting Poland’s borders westward
- Compensating Poland with German territory
- Expulsion of Germans from Eastern Europe back to Germany
These adjustments were part of the reorganization of postwar Europe.
What reparations were discussed for the Soviet Union?
The Soviets were allowed to take reparations from their zone and some equipment from the Western zones
This decision highlighted the economic considerations in the postwar agreements.
What was the Potsdam Declaration?
Issued on July 26, 1945, calling on Japan to surrender unconditionally
It warned Japan of ‘prompt and utter destruction’ if they did not comply.
What significant information did Truman share with Stalin at the conference?
The successful test of the atomic bomb
This information was critical in the context of the U.S.’s military strategy against Japan.
What was the significance of the Potsdam Conference?
- Marked the final Allied summit of World War II
- Set the tone for the Cold War
- Had long-lasting effects on European borders and East-West relations
The decisions made at Potsdam significantly influenced the geopolitical landscape of postwar Europe.
Fill in the blank: The Potsdam Conference was a crucial meeting that shaped the _______ landscape of the postwar world.
[political and geographic]
This meeting laid the groundwork for future international relations.
When was the Yalta Conference held?
From February 4 to 11, 1945
The conference took place in Crimea, then part of the Soviet Union.
Who were the ‘Big Three’ leaders at the Yalta Conference?
- Franklin D. Roosevelt – President of the United States
- Winston Churchill – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Joseph Stalin – Leader of the Soviet Union
What was the primary purpose of the Yalta Conference?
To discuss the final strategy for defeating Nazi Germany and to plan for the postwar world.
How was Germany divided according to the decisions made at Yalta?
Germany would be divided into four occupation zones controlled by the U.S., U.K., Soviet Union, and France.
What agreement was made regarding free elections in Eastern Europe?
Stalin agreed that free elections would be held in countries liberated by the Soviet Union, particularly Poland.
True or False: Stalin honored his promise for free elections in Eastern Europe.
False
