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Choices: Yalta & The Bomb

Choices: Yalta & The Bomb

Assessment

Presentation

Social Studies

11th Grade

Easy

Created by

Creed Campbell

Used 5+ times

FREE Resource

14 Slides • 4 Questions

1

Choices: Yalta & The Bomb

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2

Yalta 1945

  • War in Europe is drawing to an end; Allied forces approach Germany from the west, Soviet forces march through Poland and Hungary towards Germany from east

  • U.S. and USSR allies for the war, but likelihood of future cooperation is questionable.

  • Soviets are communist and Stalin desires spread of communism

  • You will still need Stalin's 'Red Army' to defeat Nazi's and possibly in remaining war with Japan

  • You (FDR) Churchill, and Stalin meet in city of Yalta to plan for post-war fate of Europe

3

Yalta 1945 - Decision

  • What will happen to lands seized by Nazi's after war?

  • What will happen to Germany itself?

  • Can Great Britain, the U.S., and the Soviet Union do anything to ensure that a global conflict never happens again

4

Problem #1 - Poland

  • USSR now occupy Eastern Europe as they march towards Germany

  • Allied powers have no intention of permanently occupying Western Europe

  • Stalin wants a buffer zone of Soviet-friendly states for security

  • He also expresses desire for the spread of communism

  • Poland largest eastern European nation

5

Problem #1 - Poland

  • "London Poles" and Churchill seek reinstatement of democratically elected leaders

  • Stalin seeks protection from future invasions

  • "Lublin Poles" installed by Stalin as a puppet government to rule country

  • U.S. believes in self-determination; believes Poles should hold free and fair elections

  • Fears that Lublin Poles will rig the election

  • USSR also disputes border of Poland, claiming land lost during WW1.

  • London Poles dispute claim, but willing to accede in exchange for territory in Germany

6

Open Ended

What will you choose? Choose any options from #1-8

7

Poland Outcomes

  • FDR asks Stalin to make decision that would at least 'look positive to appease Polish-American voters

  • Stalin agrees to hold free and fair elections if Lublin Poles can rule for time being

  • U.S. negotiators suggest all 3 major powers jointly supervise elections; Stalin refuses

  • Stalin never holds free and fair elections

  • Stalin also agrees to Declaration of Liberated Europe, calling for fair elections and self-determination through eastern Europe

  • Like Poland, there are no provisions for enforcement

  • Stalin's broken promises strain relations between Soviet Union and U.S., setting stage for Cold War

8

Problem #2 - Germany

  • Germany will be leaderless and in ruins

  • Should Germany pay and be punished once again? They rose up in spite of Versailles, so some favor seeing the country remain destroyed

  • Some feel broken Germany will hobble Europe's economic recovery; Germany is important industrial hub.

  • Some claim treatment after WW 1 reason behind rise of Nazi's, recovery is better approach

9

Problem #2 - Germany

  • Should Germany pay reparations for damages?

  • Initially, neither U.S. nor Britain want large reparations., but Stalin wants 10 billion (a lot)

  • Soviet Union has born greatest losses 7.5 million lives; Stalin wants Germany devastated

  • US advisors divided; some support Stalin's idea of reparations. Others fear all of Europe will suffer without Germany economic recovery

  • U.S. will have to bear a large financial cost to save European economies prevent widespread poverty and starvation to rebuild Europe

  • Essentially, we would have to pay Germans so they can pay Soviet Union

  • You also know you will need Stalin's help to end war in Germany and Japan

10

Open Ended

What will you choose? Choose any option #1-5.

11

Germany Outcomes

  • 3 governments agree to divide Germany into 4 occupation zones.

  • Agreement for 10 billion in reparations as 'a basis for later discussion'

  • At Potsdam Conference 5 months later, agreement that reparations could only be collected from zone of occupation

  • This prevents U.S. from effectively paying the Soviet Union

  • Separate economic and political control of each zone resulted in further division of Germany

  • Under supervision of U.S. and Britain, 3 western regions unite to become West Germany. Full unification of Germany not until 1990 (end of Cold War).

12

Problem #3 - The United Nations

  • Many countries (including U.S.) want an international organization to preserve peace and avoid future conflict

  • It will be better organized; consisting of General Assembly (all countries) and Security Council (only major powers).

  • Soviets willing to join, but insist on having 1 vote in GA for each of 15 republics composing USSR.

  • Soviets also demand unlimited veto power - even on procedural questions

    • Vetos on procedural matters can be used to prevent issues from even being debated and voted on by the UN Assembly, effectively rendering it unable to address concerns if a procedural veto is enacted.


13

Open Ended

What will you choose? Any options #1-4.

14

United Nations Outcomes

  • Soviets compromise and agree to 3 votes in GA.

  • Regarding veto, powers agree that permanent members to SC can veto proposals but not procedural questions

  • Procedure usually concerns whether to debate a proposal in the first place

  • Also, a country involved in a conflict could not exercise veto power

  • Later in 1945, Soviets insist that they had right to veto decisions about whether questions were or were not procedural

  • Stalin eventually capitulates on the issue (possibly because Poland compromise

15

  • Most Americans agree that Stalin's help might be needed to defeat Japan once war in Europe is complete

    • Advisors suggest as many as 1 million U.S. soldiers may die in land invasion of Japan.

    • U.S. scientists working to develop an atom bomb, but there's no guarantee when it will be ready or if it will work

  • Advisors suggest Stalin is open to assisting in war against Japan in return for territorial gains in Asia, including partial occupation of Japan itself

Problem #4 - War Against Japan

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  • Soviet Union foothold in Asia might allow Stalin to support communist civil war in China led by Mao Zedong.

  • U.S. supports right of self-determination in ALL countries; fears that a Communist China might shift balance of power and influence away from democracy and self-rule in other parts of the world.

  • You must decide whether to seek assistance from Soviet Union and how that might allow the spread of communism in Asia

Problem #4 - War Against Japan

17

Open Ended

What will you choose?

Choose ONE option to support.

18

  • U.S. and Soviets agreed that USSR would enter the war against Japan 3 months after end of war in Europe

  • In exchange, Soviets would get part of Manchuria (China), part of Sakhalin Islands, and Kurile Islands

  • Some historians suggests threat of Soviet army might have factored into Japan's decision to surrender (others suggest that atomic bomb alone might have triggered surrender w/o Soviet support).

  • Soviet occupation of parts of Asia may have been a factor in support for Mao's revolution and ultimately the establishment of a communist regime in China

War Against Japan - Outcomes

Choices: Yalta & The Bomb

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