Yalta and Potsdam

YALTA

Background?

• 1945
• Held just before end of war to decide what to do with Germany after its defeat.
• Roosevelt: wanted Soviet support in war against Japan.
• Churchill: wanted free elections and democratic governments in East Europe.
• Stalin:wanted Soviet influence in East Europe

Results?

• Germany to to be divided into four zones, occupied by US, Britain, France and Soviets
• Berlin was in Soviet zone, but was also to be divided.
• Nazi war criminals to be hunted down and tried.
• Free elections to be held in states of Eastern Europe.
• Stalin agreed to enter war against Japan in return for Soviet gains in the East
• A UN organisation should be set up to replace the League of Nations
• Germany…