Disagreements during Talks

• Yalta, USSR (Feb 1945)


  
  

  1. Stalin: Future & Security of USSR
  2. Churchill: Must remain close to USA
  3. Roosevelt: Settlement with peace
  4. Countries freed from Germany will hold free elections
  5. Soviet Union to have parts of Poland while Poland will incorporate parts of Germany
  6. Soviet Union to help USA in Pacific against Japan in return for occupation of North Korea and Manchuria
  7. Big 3 to join United Nations
  8. EE to be a Soviet sphere of influence
• USA wanted :

  • revive the economy of Germany to benefit the whole of Europe.
  • A prosperous Europe would mean less chances of its countries falling under the influence of Communism

  USSR wanted :

  • Poland to be under USSR’s control.
  • Germany must pay maximum war reparations.
  • Make Germany weak so that it’d never pose a threat to USSR
  • Ring of friendly states in Eastern Europe (i.e. communist states) for USSR’s security and economic benefit
• Potsdam Conference (July 1945) :


  
  

  
  

  Stalin :

  • wanted to cripple Germany completely
  • wanted compensation from Germany
  • Stalin’s POV of “EE a soviet sphere of influence” -> set up loyal communist govt under close control

  
  

  Truman :

  • did not want to repeat ‘mistake’ of TOV
  • agreed then changed his mind about compensation, making Stalin suspicious of him
  • More than what Truman had in mind; suspected Stalin wanted control of all Europe