Early Tensions between East & West

Ideological Differences:

Communism (Soviet Union):

• Only 1 Political Party - Communist.
• All Industry and Business owned by the State for the benefit of everyone, everyone is equal. 
• Encourages Communism in other countries

Capitalism (USA):

• Several Political Parties - voters choose and change the Government
• Most Industry and Business is privately owned, some people are wealthier than others = competition.
• Encourages Trade with other countries. 

The Tehran Conference:

• 1943
• The first meeting between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. 
• Agreed that a Second-front would be opened in France, May 1944.
• The Soviet Union would enter the war against Japan after Germany's defeat.
• Poland's borders would be moved expanding and area of Eastern Poland to become part of the Soviet Union

The Yalta Conference:

• February 1945
• It was agreed that when Germany was defeated they would have to pay reparation for all the damage and be reduced in size aswell as demilitarised. 
• European countries would have democratic elections.
• The Soviet Union would declare War on Japan.
• Poland would be a 'Soviet Sphere of Influence' but run on a demoratic basis. 

The Potsdam Conference:

• A council was set up to organise the re-building of Europe. 
• The Nazi Party was banned and war criminals were prosecuted. 
• Germany was reduced in size and parts were run by; Britain, France, USA and Soviet Union. 
• Berlin was also divided up into zones of occupation. 

Outcomes - Tension was increasing between the superpowers and differences between the nations were becoming more obvious, Truman replaced Roosevelt when he died and didn't trust the Soviet Union. 

The Long Telegram:

• 1946
• Secret report from Kennan…