Post World War IIWhat were some of the lingering issues at the

conclusion of WWII? And how would they be solved?

What issue does this picture show? (Think during and post-War)

Decision making during WW2

Yalta• Agreed that unconditional surrender of Germany• Agreed upon occupation zones in Germany• Agreed on Denazification of Germany

Potsdam• Agreed on Nuremburg Trials• Nothing about the use of the Atomic Bomb

Big 3 are only agreeing on basic defeat/destruction of Germany. Secrets are being kept amongst the Allies!

What issue does this picture show? (post war)

How to “fix” Germany?

• Governments were changing• Hitler is no longer in power• Opportunity to restructure the German government,

economy, and society• Each Allied force occupies different geographical area• US and USSR occupying Berlin with military to help Germany

recovery• Not cooperating very well• Berlin (capital) is the center of this division

Tensions arising between US and USSR due to differences in how to fix Germany!

What issue does this picture show? (post war)

“Rehabilitate” Europe• Physical destruction from war zones all across Europe (Britain,

France, Germany, Italy)• People were homeless• Deaths from war destroyed families• Economies were hurt• People were in fear

European countries needed help recovering after the war!

Soviet Goals & Plans• Complete communist control in Germany and other European

countries• Destroy German military• Install soviet leaders• Take over German industries• Self-interests• Become stronger as a nation

USSR wants to strenghten its country and rebuild Europe by installing its Soviet Communism in Germany and other countries!

British Goals and Plans• Self interests• Rebuild nation• Return to being global leader

Britain wants to return to the Britain of old, but is fearful of the Soviets and realize that America is their best ally.

American Goals and Plans• Rebuild the economies in Europe through World trade• Prevent future wars from happening again• Want peace in Germany• Want Nazi party gone

Americans want Europe to be rebuilt with strong democracy and world trade.

Things might get tough….

• Distrust between nations – US used Atomic Bomb on Japan• Tense relations in Berlin with militaries there• Opposing political systems that completely reject each other• Virtually complete geographical separation

Review:What is brewing at this time1. Even though the Allies won the war together, they had a hard time agreeing due to political differences.

2. US and Britain want to help Europe by developing democracy and physically reviving after war

3. Soviets don’t want American help or aid after war. They want to grow their country by spreading communism and rebuilding Germany in that way.

4. A tense situation is of opposing views is heightened by military occupation in Berlin