The End of World War II

Conferences and

Cold War

End of the War in Europe May 7, 1945—Germany surrenderedUS, England, Russia met to

reconstruct Europe after the war:–Yalta Yalta

ConferenceConference (Feb 1945)

–Potsdam Potsdam ConferenceConference (July, Aug 1945)

Yalta Conference“Big Three” (Churchill of England,

Roosevelt of USA, Stalin of USSR) met to discuss Europe after WW2

This is FDR’s last meeting (died in April)

Yalta Conference6 Topics Discussed:

–Want unconditional surrenderunconditional surrender of Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan)

–League of Nations was ineffective—US, England, Russia, France, China should form United United NationsNations (international organization to keep peace after war)

Yalta ConferenceTopics Discussed:

–Russia would declare war on Japan (& help USA invade Japan) after Germany surrendered

–Divide Austria, Germany & capital Berlin into 4 occupied 4 occupied zoneszones (controlled US, England, France, & USSR)

Yalta ConferenceTopics Discussed:

–Roosevelt & Churchill afraid Stalin would make Eastern Europe communist after war; wanted Self DeterminationSelf Determination (right to choose democracy or communist) for Eastern European Countries: Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, & Bulgaria

Yalta ConferenceStalin agreed to self-determination if

could have part of Poland; Poland—should have free elections

Potsdam Conference (Stalin, Truman, Churchill)

Potsdam ConferenceAfter German surrender, Stalin began

pressuring Eastern European countries to become communist

Truman unhappy with these new pro-Soviet governments; Demanded Stalin allow free elections as he agreed to at Yalta

Stalin refused to allow freely elected governments in Eastern Europe; feared they would be anti-Soviet

Potsdam ConferenceWhile at Potsdam,

Truman learns the atomic bomb is ready

‘Potsdam Declaration’— gave Japan ultimatum: unconditionally surrender or face "prompt and utter destruction"

Review of Potsdam

&

Yalta

Cold WarWhen the World War 2 finally ended,

2 superpowers remained: US & USSRUSA—capitalist &

democratic; USSR— communist

Different beliefs led to Cold WarCold War; fight for control of European countries & supremacy throughout the world

VSVS

League of Nations, League of Nations, AppeasementAppeasement, , Great Depression, Great Depression, CommunismCommunism, , Totalitarian Regime, Totalitarian Regime, HitlerHitler, , Mussolini, Mussolini, Hideki TojoHideki Tojo, Stalin, , Stalin, Mein KampfMein Kampf, Kristallnacht, , Kristallnacht, PolandPoland, Stalingrad, , Stalingrad, Final Final SolutionSolution, Blitzkrieg, , Blitzkrieg, Phony WarPhony War, , Fascism, Fascism, El AlameinEl Alamein, Manchuria, , Manchuria, MidwayMidway, Iwo Jima, , Iwo Jima, Island-Island-HoppingHopping, Atomic Bomb, , Atomic Bomb, YaltaYalta, , Potsdam Conference, Potsdam Conference, Cold WarCold War, , United NationsUnited Nations