Potsdam Conference

• What did Truman want for international relations?

  National self-determination and open trading system
• Why did Truman want to limit the spread of the USSR?

  To ensure USA's geostrategic interests
• What was Truman's belief regarding Stalin and nuclear weapons?

  It would make Stalin more cooperative
• How did the US ambassador to Moscow describe Soviet expansion?

  As a "barbarian invasion of Europe"
• What did Attlee want from the USA regarding the USSR?

  To stay as defenders against the USSR
• Why was Attlee concerned about Germany?

  There was no long-term plan for it
• What strategy did Attlee focus on to combat communism?

  Anti-communist media campaigns
• What was the significance of the growing tensions between the U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union?

  • Highlighted ideological divisions
  • Exposed mutual distrust
  • Set the stage for the Cold War
• What key issues remained unresolved after the tensions between the U.S. and USSR?

  • Division of Germany
  • Soviet control in Eastern Europe
  • Fueling future conflict
• How did the revelation of the atomic bomb affect U.S.-Soviet relations?

  It deepened mistrust between them
• When did the Potsdam Conference take place?

  July 17 - August 2, 1945
• What was the status of the war in Europe by the time of the Potsdam Conference?

  The war in Europe had ended
• Who replaced Roosevelt and Churchill before the Potsdam Conference?

  Truman replaced Roosevelt, Attlee replaced Churchill
• What was a significant event that occurred the day before the Potsdam Conference?

  The USA successfully tested its first atomic bomb
• What decisions were made at the Potsdam Conference?

  • Germany would be disarmed
  • De-Nazification would occur
  • Freedom of speech and religion agreed
  • Germany as a single economic unit
  • USSR would receive reparations
  • USSR would have 25% of Western Zones
• What was a major failure of the Potsdam Conference?

  It failed to address USA-USSR tensions
• What did Stalin believe about Western powers?

  They wanted to dominate Europe
• What did Stalin want to create for the USSR's security?

  A buffer zone to separate from the West
• How did Stalin view the US's intentions?

  As having an anti-Soviet agenda