Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The Peace Conferences, 1943-1945 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
The Impact of Peace Conferences - Summary
The Grand Alliance met three times between 1943 and 1945. First at Tehran, then Yalta and finally at Potsdam. At Tehran, the focus was on how to defeat the Axis powers and win the Second World War. Although there were some disagreements over how best to achieve this, the Big Three all went away from the conference relatively happy with what had been agreed. More importantly, Roosevelt and Stalin had seen eye to eye on most of the points discussed, which strengthened the relationship between the USA and Soviet Union. The same members of the Grand Alliance met again at Yalta. This time, however, the war against Germany was all but won. Discussion about post-war Europe took priority, such as the foundations of the United Nations and the future of Germany. Stalin also agreed to allow free elections in Eastern Europe after the war. At Potsdam, Roosevelt and Churchill had been replaced by Truman and Attlee respectively. Their personalities differed greatly from their predecessors, which made it more difficult for them to get on with Stalin. There were far more disagreements at Potsdam about post-war Europe, and tensions were made worse after knowledge about the US creation of the atomic bomb had been made public. |
Agreements Made at Tehran, 1943
The Grand Alliance first met at Tehran - a city in Iran - during the Second World War
Aims for the Tehran Conference
Agreements made at the Tehran Conference
Tehran’s Impact on the USA and Russia’s Relationship
The conference at Tehran had a positive impact on the relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union:
Stalin had been concerned about the Soviet Union fighting Germany alone in the East and was pleased that a second front beginning in northern France had been agreed
Roosevelt had supported Stalin in attacking Germany from the West and not from the Balkans as Churchill had wanted
Stalin had agreed to support the USA in its war against Japan
The conference at Tehran had a negative impact on the relationship between the USA and the UK:
Roosevelt was sometimes more worried that British colonialism was a greater threat to world peace than the Soviet Union
Churchill was disappointed that Roosevelt had sided with Stalin in opening a ‘second front’ in northern France
The Yalta Conference
The Grand Alliance met two years later at Yalta - a city in the Soviet Union - during the final few months of the Second World War
Aims for the Yalta Conference
Agreements made at the Yalta Conference
Yalta’s Impact on America and Russia’s Relationship
The conference at Yalta had a positive impact on the relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union:
The Soviet Union declared war against Japan in August 1945
The Soviet Union would be awarded half of the $20 billion reparations
Roosevelt was pleased that the three main states of the USSR - Russia, Ukraine and Belarus - had agreed to join the United Nations
Roosevelt was pleased free elections had been agreed to take place in Eastern Europe
The conference at Yalta had a negative impact on the relationship between the Soviet Union and the UK:
Stalin wanted a pro-communist government to be elected in Poland whereas Churchill supported the non-communist London Poles
The Potsdam Conference, 1945
The Grand Alliance met only a few months later at Potsdam - a city in Germany - during the end of the Second World War
A number of events had happened between the conferences at Yalta and Potsdam:
Roosevelt had died and was replaced by Harry S. Truman
Truman adopted a tougher approach to Stalin
Churchill had been replaced by Clement Attlee following a general election
Germany had surrendered in May 1945
The USA had developed a new, devastating weapon - the atomic bomb
The United Nations had been established, with 51 members
Aims for the Potsdam Conference
Agreements made at the Potsdam Conference
Potsdam’s Impact on America and the Soviet Union’s Relationship
The conference at Potsdam had a negative impact on the relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union:
Truman had mentioned to Stalin that the USA had successfully tested the atomic bomb through the Trinity test, which increased tensions between both countries
Stalin wanted harsher reparations against Germany, while Truman wanted to protect the German economy
Truman was concerned with the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe and the spread of communism
Stalin wanted to keep his Red Army in Eastern Europe as protection against future threats
Worked Example
Explain one consequence of the Tehran Conference (1943)
4 marks
Answer:
One consequence of the Tehran Conference was better collaboration between the USA and the Soviet Union. In 1943, Roosevelt agreed to open a second front in Europe to help the Soviet Union's battle with Germany. As a result, Stalin agreed to support the USA's war with Japan. This type of collaboration shows a positive working relationship was formed between Stalin and Roosevelt. This allowed both countries to enter the Yalta Conference in 1945 positive of agreeing on further key post-war decisions.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This question has previously asked you to explain two consequences. In the Superpower Relations exam paper for 2025, this question will ask you to explain one consequence. However, there will be two different "Explain one consequence of" questions, each worth four marks.
Last updated:
You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week
Sign up now. It’s free!
Did this page help you?
