Problems with Yalta Yalta Oh Yalta At first

Problems with Yalta

Yalta, Oh Yalta • At first there was lots of enthusiasm for Yalta. • Cheering in the US Senate… • BUT • There were problems with this agreement.

Yalta Problems • What is democracy anyway? – To Americans? – To the Soviets?

Yalta Problems • Expectations vs. Reality • USA thought that cooperation at Yalta meant that Stalin would allow western-style governments to be set up in E. Europe. • Nope!

Yalta Problems • Hopes for compromise in Poland dashed • Poland could not be both democratic/friendly AND communist/friendly • Stalin crushed dissent in Polish politics – Free speech?

Yalta in Practice • Stalin did not allow noncommie influence in Poland. • Talks between Molotov and the West were failures. • Non-commies treated ruthlessly. • EX: Leaders of the Polish Resistance were invited by Stalin to talks…. • They were never seen or heard from… • again.

Assignment 3 • Individual paragraph response: Why were Roosevelt and Churchill disappointed at the way Stalin put Yalta into practice?

Assignment 4 • Groups of 2 or 3: Page 100 - Examine sources F-H. Use the information from these sources to explain differing ideas about Yalta. • Creatively (poem, comic, illustration, chart) show differently Yalta was seen by different leaders.

Newbie in the White House • RIP Roosevelt – April 1945. • Hello Harry Truman • Had only been VP for a few weeks! No foreign policy experience. • Hardline personality Hardline approach to USSR. • FDR was optimistic USA and USSR could remain on good terms…not so much with Truman.

Truman’s Hardline • April, 1945 Truman meets with Molotov. • Angrily insists that the USSR must uphold its agreements. • Molotov: “I have never been talked to like that in my life. ” • Truman: “Carry out your agreement and you won’t get talked to like that. ”

Potsdam • USA, USSR, and Britain - Potsdam, Germany. • July, August 1945. • Churchill had been replaced by Labour Party leader Clement Attlee.

Potsdam Conference • Blue Book p. 102. • What was Truman’s attitude at Potsdam and WHY? • Assignment 5: • Create a chart showing areas of agreement and disagreement at Potsdam.

The Iron Curtain • Churchill liked Truman’s tough line. • Churchill made a speech in Missouri • Called for an American. British alliance against the threat of communism. • Assignment 6: Read source M. What phenomena does Churchill describe, and why is it dangerous to British and American interests?