The End of World War II End of

The End of World War II

End of the War in Europe n May 7, 1945—Germany surrendered n US, England, Russia met to reconstruct Europe after the war: –Yalta Conference (Feb 1945) –Potsdam Conference (July, Aug 1945)

Yalta Conference n “Big Three” (Churchill of England, Roosevelt of USA, Stalin of USSR) met to discuss Europe after WW 2 n This is FDR’s last meeting (died in April)

Yalta Conference n 6 Topics Discussed: –Want unconditional surrender of Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) –League of Nations was ineffective— US, England, Russia, France, China should form United Nations (international organization to keep peace after war)

Yalta Conference n Topics Discussed: –Russia would declare war on Japan (& help USA invade Japan) after Germany surrendered –Divide Austria, Germany & capital Berlin into 4 occupied zones (controlled US, England, France, & USSR)

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

Yalta Conference n Stalin agreed to self-determination if could have part of Poland; Poland— should have free elections

Potsdam Conference (Stalin, Truman, Churchill)

Potsdam Conference n After German surrender, Stalin began pressuring Eastern European countries to become communist n Truman unhappy with these new pro. Soviet governments; Demanded Stalin allow free elections as he agreed to at Yalta n Stalin refused to allow freely elected governments in Eastern Europe; feared they would be anti-Soviet

Potsdam Conference n While at Potsdam, Truman learns the atomic bomb is ready n ‘Potsdam Declaration’— gave Japan ultimatum: unconditionally surrender or face "prompt and utter destruction"

Cold War n When the World War 2 finally ended, 2 superpowers remained: US & USSR n USA—capitalist & democratic; USSR— communist n Different beliefs led to Cold War; War fight for control of European countries & supremacy throughout the world VS