Primary Source: A primary source is a physical object or document that was made during the time period. They offer an inside view into what happened at the event or during that time period. Primary sources are particularly useful to historians as it gives us evidence to back up accounts as to what happened in the past.
Primary sources can be
Original Documents – Film footage, news articles, manuscripts, interviews, speeches, official records, diaries, photographs, maps, propaganda, comics
Artifacts – Pottery, clothing, buildings
Creative Works – Play, story, poetry, movie, games, song
Secondary Source: A secondary source is something that analyses a primary source or is made to interpret an event or time period in history. Secondary sources can include primary sources, such as quotes or photographs.
Secondary Sources can be
Publications – Magazine article, perspectives, documentaries, encyclopedias, textbooks
http://www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html
Evaluating Sources: Historians evaluate sources, so to decide if they should be used. This is done by determining the level of usefulness, reliability and credibility of sources. This means that you check where the source came from, if it is bias or not, and what insight it can give in the time period or event which is important.
Below are some sources which have been evaluated from a previous assessment which have also been used in the plan for a website into the Yalta Conference.
Question 1: What was the background leading up to the Yalta Conference?
Question 2: What happened during the Yalta Conference and what was decided?
Question 3: How was the Yalta conference and/or its effects significant to the World and New Zealand?
Note: Original extracts from sources used in planning this website in italics.
Primary sources can be
Original Documents – Film footage, news articles, manuscripts, interviews, speeches, official records, diaries, photographs, maps, propaganda, comics
Artifacts – Pottery, clothing, buildings
Creative Works – Play, story, poetry, movie, games, song
Secondary Source: A secondary source is something that analyses a primary source or is made to interpret an event or time period in history. Secondary sources can include primary sources, such as quotes or photographs.
Secondary Sources can be
Publications – Magazine article, perspectives, documentaries, encyclopedias, textbooks
http://www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html
Evaluating Sources: Historians evaluate sources, so to decide if they should be used. This is done by determining the level of usefulness, reliability and credibility of sources. This means that you check where the source came from, if it is bias or not, and what insight it can give in the time period or event which is important.
Below are some sources which have been evaluated from a previous assessment which have also been used in the plan for a website into the Yalta Conference.
Question 1: What was the background leading up to the Yalta Conference?
Question 2: What happened during the Yalta Conference and what was decided?
Question 3: How was the Yalta conference and/or its effects significant to the World and New Zealand?
Note: Original extracts from sources used in planning this website in italics.
Source 1: A map showing what areas each allied force had authority over in Germany 1945.
This source is mainly relevant to providing insight into what was decided at the Yalta Conference in terms of borders and who had authority in each section. Berlin was located in the Soviet authority area but was divided into zones so no one ally would have more power than the other. Although this did put the USSR at a clear advantage as they controlled roads and railways leading to Berlin.
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Source 2: A film/news documentary “NATO the Changed Face of Europe – The Big Picture” which reviews the history of NATO includes information early on into what was agreed at Yalta Conference and the effects/significance to the world.
1. “Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt agreed on free elections – how free they were was a matter of opinion”.
2. “In USSR controlled areas, always the presence of the secret police and a number of soldiers occupying the Red Army. People exhausted by war were hardly likely to resist such coercion with determination in Western Europe. →morale higher. Essential freedoms of democracy burst out with new vigour → leads to Europe must be reunited”. |
1. According to Source 2, the Yalta conference of 1945, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill discussed on what to do with Germany once defeated. Free elections to be held in states of Eastern Europe “how free they were was a matter of opinion”. Roosevelt and Churchill perceived it as a democracy agreement, whereas Stalin didn’t. Stalin’s whole agenda was to gain soviet influence in Eastern Germany, which he succeeded in doing. The video was relevant in answering what happed at Yalta as it tells us what one of the main agreements at Yalata was (free elections).
Churchill – “Democracy is not the ultimate form of government but it’s the best we have”. 2. Furthermore, Source 2 shows the Yalta Conference outcomes and effects were significant as in what was meant to be a “free Eastern Europe” was filled with presence if secret police and numerous soldiers occupying Red Army. In Western Europe, the morale was much higher than west as democracy burst out with new vigour which caused Stalin to be paranoid. People in Russian side were too exhausted from effects of war to fight communism. |
Source 3: A thesis paper written by a Grad student with a major and minor in history helps to explain the background, what happened and effects of Yalta Conference.
1. “…to determine the world as whole after World War II had concluded”.
2. “In 1949, William Henry Chamberlin reflected on the diplomatic deadlock at the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War, concluding, “During the war and for a short time after the war, there was general hope in the United States that, despite differences in the political and economic institutions, the United States and Russia would cooperate in maintaining peace” but “this hope has been unmistakably dimmed, if not altogether destroyed, by Soviet actions and attitudes since the end of the war”. 3. “Neilson states “If there were one man outside the borders of Russia during World War II, who knew what Russia desired and intended to obtain, if Germany was conquered, it was Churchill”. 4. “…historians and politicians cast the Yalta Conference as the beginning of the Cold War, In February of 1945, the leaders of the “Big Three” powers – Winston Churchill for the United Kingdom – Franklin Roosevelt for the United States – Joseph Stalin for the Soviet Union – met at Yalta, in the Crimea region of Ukraine, to determine the future of Europe, and the world as a whole” 5. “…creation of the United Nations, the division of Germany, the fate of Poland, and the involvement of the Soviet Union in the Pacific theatre of war. Under this agreement, the United Nations served to maintain peace between the nations, hopefully succeeding in preventing another world war where the League of Nations had failed. The agreement states about Germany’s future, “The United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic shall possess supreme authority with respect to Germany” and “they will take such steps, including the complete dismemberment of Germany as they deem requisite for future peace and security”. 6. “Despite the failures of Yalta to ensure lasting mutual cooperation between the United States and Soviet Union, Chamberlin concludes that the Soviets weakened war machine after World War II and the United States constitutional practices declaring war render formal highly conflict unlikely. Chamberlin faults the Soviet Union for filing to live up to the spirit of Yalta and starting the Cold War”. 7. “ …1945 that Yalta led to diplomatic breakdown between the United States and Soviet Union, eventually culminating in cultural and military standoff. The Yalta Conference determined the course of geopolitics for the latter half of the twentieth century. Historians differ on which actor in the conference carries the most blame for its result, with several faulting Roosevelt or his successor Truman, others condemning Stalin or the Soviets at large, and Neilson attacking Churchill. No matter which political leader historians choose to damn, they all agree on the significance of Yalta, and the concessions made to the Soviets, in triggering the Cold War.” |
1. According to Source 3, World War II was one of the most significant events in the background leading up to the Yalta Conference. War broke out in 1939 (September) and ended in 1945. 25 million military personnel died and just as many civilians. Russia suffering the largest amount of casualties. This gave Stalin an advantage point in deciding fate of Germany. During World War II, Germany sided with Japan and Italy (Axis), while USA and USSR sided with Britain (Allies). Germany in 1940 decided to launch aerial warfare on Britain (Battle of Britain) which lasted from August to October in attempts to destroy RAF. In failing to do so, Germany launches bombing of London. Britain remaining resilient/strong → Germany back down. The Battle of Britain is one of the many reasons that influence Britain’s choices at Yalta. USSR’s choices at Yalta are also influenced by Germany’s invasion on them in 1941. (June – December) Germany saw it as a place to expand to occupy growing population. WW II is relevant in answering the background to Yalta as the actions from Germany influence the leaders’ decisions at Yalta.
2. Furthermore Source 3 states, “There was general hope in the United States that, despite differences in the political and economic institutions, the United States and Russia would cooperate in maintaining peace” This was because Roosevelt and Churchill became suspicious of Stalin’s constant strategizing and attempts to claim more area after WW II. Also enforcing a communist regime which is why it stated “this hope has been unmistakably dimmed, if not altogether destroyed, by Soviet actions and attitudes since the end of the war”. “Free election” agreements now meant different things. This is relevant to the background of the Yalta Conference as it explains the attitudes leading up to the Yalta Conference and how even though the hope for a United Nation was there, Stalin and Roosevelt had different plans. 3. Churchill had suspicions of what Stalin’s plan was if Germany was conquered so had the upper hand in preparing himself against this. 4. With relevance to the question “What was the Yalta Conference?” – Three leaders from Allied powers, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met up at Yalta, Ukraine to determine future of Europe and world as a whole. The decisions made here are what most historians believe to be the start of the Cold War. 5. Ideas about United Nations from 1941 – 43 put into effect. This includes “4 Policemen” (Russia, China, USA and Britain) ensuring peace is kept in the word to prevent another war breaking out where the League of Nations had previously failed. It was also decided that the US, USSR and UK will have supreme authority with regards to what happens with Germany. Split into sectors. Berlin also divided as a measure to ensure peace and prevent a mutiny of sorts. Also agreed that USSR was to enter war with allies against Japan 90 days after defeat of Germany. Keep the “Grand Alliance”. 6. In 1949, William Henry Chamberlin faults the Soviet Union for “Failing to live up to the spirit of Yalta” thus beginning the Cold War. Major World significant effect of Yalta as it caused global political uncertainty and tension within the allies. Mainly the US and USSR who both feared each other was attempting to dominate the world. 7. Yalta led to diplomatic breakdown between America and Russia, which led to a cultural and military standoff. Each power believed the other was out to take over completely, so the effect/significance of the war was constant tension through rest of the Cold War – on edge. |
Source 4: An article from the History Channel website which historians write articles for, provides information into what happened at Yalta and the effects.
1. “The February 1945 Yalta Conference was the second wartime meeting of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. During the conference, the three leaders agreed to demand Germany’s unconditional surrender and began plans for the post-war world. Stain also agreed to permit free elections in Eastern Europe and to enter the Asian war against Japan, for which he was promised the return of lands lost to Japan in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05. Set up the conquered nation’s four zones of occupation to be run by their three countries and France. They scheduled another meeting for April in San Francisco to create the United Nations.”
2. “Stalin broke his promise of free elections in Eastern Europe and installed governments dominated by the Soviet Union. Then American Critics charged that Roosevelt, who died 2 months after the Conference, had “sold out” to the Soviets at Yalta.” |
1. According to Source 4, Yalta was one of two wartime meetings. All three leaders agreed to “demand Germany’s unconditional surrender” which was one of the points discussed making it relevant to information about what happened at Yalta. Once again, this source states that Stalin agreed to permit free elections in Eastern Europe. Also he agreed to enter the USSR into the war against Japan with allies in return for land which was lost to Japan in a previous conflict (Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905).
2. According to Source 4 the , Yalta Conference is significant to the world especially Poland and rest of Eastern Europe as Stalin “Broke his promise of free elections” and Eastern Europe became Pro-communist Soviet Union dominated government. |
Source 4B: Also an article from the History Channel website which historians write articles for, provides information into the background, what happened at Yalta and the effects.
1. “Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin each had their own agendas for the conference.”
2. “Soviet Troops were already in control of Poland.” 3. “With World War II raging, his primary interest was in maintain the “Grand Alliance.” 4. “Tensions over European issues – particularly the fate of Poland – foreshadowed the crumbling of the Grand Alliance that had developed between the United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union during World War II and hinted at the Cold War to come. Meeting in the city of Yalta in the Russian Crimean from February 4thh – 11th… For Stalin, post-war economic assistance for Russia, and US and British recognition of a Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe were the main objectives. Churchill has the protection of the British Empire foremost in his mind, but also wanted to clarify the post war status of Germany. Roosevelt’s goals included consensus on establishment of the United Nations and gaining Soviet agreement to enter the war against Japan once Hitler had been defeated – no definite determination of financial aid for Russia – Soviets did agree to join in war against Japan 90 days after Hitler’s Germany was defeated.“ 5. “Many US Official were disgusted with the agreement, which they believed condemned Poland to a communist future, Roosevelt, however, felt that he could do no more at the moment, since the Soviet Army was occupying Poland.” 6. “Unfortunately, Roosevelt never got that chance – almost exactly two months after the end of the conference, Roosevelt suffered a stroke and died.” |
1. According to Source 4b, each leader arrived at the Yalta Conference with their own agenda in mind. Each decision was affected by actions/attitudes in WW II. Russia wanting economic assistance as heaps of money was spent during the war, Churchill, reassured protection of Britain as he could foresee future problems with USSR and other countries. Roosevelt with a similar ambition to unite all nations just in case. This is relevant in answering what the background was to Yalta as each point and agenda was thought through before the Conference to either prevent future foreseeable problems or gain back what was lost in WW II.
2. Furthermore in Source 4b, with relevance to background, before Yalta, Soviet troops had control of Poland which created even more mistrust for the already shady Stalin from the USA, which wanted to introduce democracy back into the country. Thus threatened Roosevelt and Churchill as it suggested Stalin was not interested in “free elections” or democracy. 3. Just as stated before, Roosevelt had the agenda of uniting the nations before heading into the Yalta Conference to maintain the Grand Alliance”. This shows how separately there is political uncertainty and tensions building up from the attitudes prior to the Yalta Conference. 4. According to Source 4b, which gives detailed evidence into what happened during Yalta and what was decided, Franklin D. Roosevelt (United States of America), Joseph Stalin (USSR), Winston Churchill (Great Britain) met in the city of Yalta in the Russian Crimean Between February 4th – 11th to discuss each other’s agendas for the conference. Which Included: Winston Churchill:
Franklin D Roosevelt:
Joseph Stalin:
5. According to Source 4b, as the Soviet Army occupied Poland, US officials were worried that it condemned Poland to Communism which causes an effect on Poland from lack of persistence from Roosevelt during the Conference. 6. Harry Truman took over once Roosevelt died. This was significant as Roosevelt had plans to further negotiate political issues and the UN. Even though Truman carried on the United Nations, events may have taken a different turn with Roosevelt still alive. |
Source 5: An extract from the “Office of the Historian” Milestones – 1937-1945 which provides information and evidence as to the background, events and effects of Yalta.
1. "The Yalta Conference took place in a Russian resort town in the Crimea from February 4–11, 1945, during World War Two. At Yalta, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin made important decisions regarding the future progress of the war and the post-war world…victory over Japan might require a protracted fight, the United States and Great Britain saw a major strategic advantage to Soviet participation in the Pacific theatre. At Yalta, Roosevelt and Churchill discussed with Stalin the conditions under which the Soviet Union would enter the war against Japan and all three agreed that, in exchange for potentially crucial Soviet participation in the Pacific theatre, the Soviets would be granted a sphere of influence in Manchuria following Japan’s surrender. This included the southern portion of Sakhalin, a lease at Port Arthur (now Lüshunkou), a share in the operation of the Manchurian railroads, and the Kurile Islands. This agreement was the major concrete accomplishment of the Yalta Conference."
2. "The Allied leaders also discussed the future of Germany, Eastern Europe and the United Nations. Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin agreed not only to include France in the postwar governing of Germany, but also that Germany should assume some, but not all, responsibility for reparations following the war." 3. "At the Quebec Conference in August 1943, Secretary of State Cordell Hull and British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden agreed to draft a declaration that included a call for “a general international organization, based on the principle sovereign equality of all nations.” An agreed declaration was issued after a Foreign Ministers Conference in Moscow in October 1943. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin in Tehran, Iran, in November 1943, he proposed an international organization comprising an assembly of all member states and a 10-member executive committee to discuss social and economic issues. The United States, Great Britain, Soviet Union, and China would enforce peace as “the four policemen.” Meanwhile Allied representatives founded a set of task-oriented organizations: the Food and Agricultural Organization (May 1943), the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (November 1943), the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (April 1944), the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (July 1944), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (November 1944)." 4. "The United Nations came into existence on October 24, 1945, after 29 nations had ratified the Charter." |
1. According to Source 5, the major concrete accomplishment of the Yalta Conference was the agreement that USSR would fight alongside USA in the war against Japan. This is relevant to providing insight as to what happened at Yalta as it depicts a main agreement decided in returns for soviet gains in Far East (Kurile Islands, Southern portion of Sakhalin and a lease at Arthurs Port.
2. Furthermore, it was decided at Yalta that Germany would take full responsibility for WW II and to pay reparations following the war. Also decided to include France in post-war governing of Germany (You can see where France was added in Source 1 on the map) following previous attacks on them by Germany. 3. According to Source 5, before the Yalta Conference in 1943 and 1944, the secretary of state and British foreign secretary agreed to draft a plan for the alliance and general international organisation to unite the nations after the war has been won. The United States, Britain, USSR and China to be the “Four Policemen” meanwhile allied countries would focus on the other issues. This was of course based on the pre-conference thought that most to all major parties would have democracy. This is relevant in focusing on background to the Yalta Conference as it shows the thought going into future associations under the belief all powers would stick to their word. 4. “The United Nations came into existence on October 24, 1945, after 29 nations had ratified the Charter”. New Zealand was one of the 51 nations to pledge its support for the principle of collective security by signing the United Nations Charter. New Zealand supported United Nations 100%. This is significant to New Zealand and relevant to effects of the Yalta Conference and is proven 5 years later in 1950, when New Zealand sends troops to fight in Korea. During 1940’s and 1950’s New Zealand signed a series of agreements with Britain and USA armed at countering threats of Japanese military and communist expansion. Background to Yalta and United Nations with significance to New Zealand. Singapore (Britain) lost to Japan in 1942. New Zealanders lost confidence in Britain’s ability to protect its nations/empire which encouraged New Zealand to consider Plan B (USA). → leading to the signing of United Nations Pact. Canberra Pact 1944, Prime Minister at the time Peter Fraser signed Canberra Pact in January 1944. All signatures were Australian and New Zealand. The Canberra Pact was about working together on points of mutual interest, not military alliance. New Zealand next joined ANZAM 1949 and ANZUS 1951. This is all relevant to the Background and effects of Yalta as it describes knowledge into pacts and alliances before the Yalta Conference and what the significance to New Zealand and world after conference → United Nations. |
Source 6: An introduction to the United Nations from UN.org which contains evidence from when the UN was formed and who the first signers were. This supports information in other sources especially ones that include New Zealand.
1. "On 11 February 1945, following meetings at Yalta, President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Premier Joseph Stalin declared their resolve to establish "a general international organization to maintain peace and security"."
2. "The name "United Nations", coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers." 3. "The League of Nations ceased its activities after failing to prevent the Second World War." 4. "In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter." |
1. According to Source 6, three leaders met to establish “a general international organisation to maintain peace and security”, the outcome of this was the finalisation of the United Nations and to do what the League of Nations failed to do. This is relevant to the events at Yalta as it was one of the topics discussed.
2. This has relevance to background of Yalta as Roosevelt’s ideology of the United Nations being free and combining forces to defeat AXIS played a part in his decisions at Yalta. 3. Before “United Nations” there was the “League of Nations” which had the same purpose after WW II but failed and ceased when WW II erupted foreshadowing what was to come with the Cold War. 4. According to Source 6, the United Nations was created in January 1942, during WWII for 26 representatives to pledge governments allegiance to allies and to remain allies after war to “keep the peace” with democracy. |
Source 7: A World History book published in 2010 by Phillip Parker gives insight into the background leading up to Yalta and a brief explanation in how it led to the start of the Cold War.
1. “The German invasion of USSR (June-December 1941). Ever since 1920’s, Hitler had viewed Western USSR as a possible area for German expansion to provide room for growing population. By 1941, Hitler also feared that the USA might join war on British side and so, although an uneasy peace had prevailed in Eastern Europe since defeat of Poland in September 1939, he decided an invasion on Britain’s last possible European ally (USSR).
Battle of Britain (August – October 1940) Aerial conflict that raged between Britain and Germany. Hitler ordered change of tactic, and bombed London from September 7th. Germany’s chance of destroying RAF ended (Britain War). World War 2 Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany seriously destabilised Europe, and after a series of false alarms, war broke out in September 1939. Conflict became global, with USA and USSR joining the western European allies, while Japan and Italy joined the German “Axis” side. By the time the fighting finally ended in 1945, WWII had led to the deaths of 25 million military personnel, and at least as many civilians.” |
1. As stated in source 3. USSR and British decisions at Yalta are influenced by actions taken towards them in WWII by Germany. This includes the battle of Britain (1940) where Germany bombed London and aerial attacks, also the invasion by Germany on USSR in order to more land for growing population which killed millions of Soviet troops and civilians’. - Relevant for insight into background of Yalta and leading up to it as it shows which incentives Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt may have at the conference and why. Germany also invaded Russia to try prevent the likely possibility of them siding with the allies in WWII. (Britain’s last European ally)
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Source 8: A website – Spartacus Education – that gives
insight into background, what happened at effects of Yalta.
1. ”Stalin explained that throughout history Poland had either attacked Russia or had been used as a corridor through which other hostile countries invaded her.”
2. “Stalin was determined to discover what the Allied leaders were thinking. American Official – Alger Hiss…who sought commitments on the part of Russians. Except for the Russian demand for reparations, coolly received by the United States, all requests were ours.” 3. “…and at Yalta, the decision at Tehran to form a United Nations Organisation was confirmed.” 4. “At the time of Yalta, Germany was close to defeat. British and USA troops were advancing from the west and the Red Army from the East. At the conference it was agreed to divide Germany amongst the allies. However, all parties to that agreement were aware that the country that took control of Germany would be in the strongest position over the future of this territory.” 5. “Christopher Andrews is an historian who believes that Joseph Stalin completely out negotiated Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill at Yalta.” 6. “The peace of the world depends upon the lasting friendship of the three great powers, but his majesty’s government feel we should be putting ourselves in a false position if we put ourselves in the position of trying to rule the world when our desire is to serve the world and preserve it from a renewal of the frightful horrors which have fallen upon the mass of its inhabitants.” |
1. In actual fact after Germany invaded Poland, USSR took over once Germany comes close to defeat an enforces a Soviet ruled dictatorship before the Yalta conference, making USA’s attempt at taking control of Poland and introducing a democratic government pointless. Relevant to background of Yalta as it shows the start of hostility between America and Russia.
2. At Yalta, Stalin was determined to find out what Roosevelt and Churchill had planned. According to Alger Hiss, an American official at Yalta conference, “Except for Russians demand for official reparations, coolly received by the United States, all the requests were ours”. This quote is relevant to answering what happened at Yalta as it is a first-hand account of what was asked and decided at Yalta, “All requests were ours” suggests that America and Britain were determined to keep Russia as an ally, when all Russia wanted was payback. 3. According to Source 8, the only decision that was 100% confirmed was the formation of the United Nations. 4. After Stalin’s strategic moves it became a race between the allies to seize Berlin. Although after the Yalta Conference it is decided to divide, Stalin still had majority of East to control and aimed to be the strongest power. 5. This could have an effect of the outcome on Yalta. Christopher Andrew – author of Mitrokhin Archive 1999, says “Stalin completely out negotiated Roosevelt and Churchill at Yalta”, as all he wanted was reparations and Poland whereas the others were set on an alliance. This could affect the world as , if Roosevelt made better attempts for Poland and demanded more, instead of worry about an alliance that was going to fall through cause of Stalin then America could’ve got more out of Yalta, and Poland may be democratic. 6. The quote from Winston Churchill states his desire to serve the world and preserve it from the renewal of frightful horrors which have fallen upon mass of inhabitants. This effects the world as UN was formed with the plans to unite 51 members in 1945, including New Zealand. (Significant) |
Source 9: An online encyclopedia “Britannica Online” has
good information about the Yalta Conference and its effects.
1. “Yalta Conference, (February 4–11, 1945), major World War II conference of the three chief Allied leaders, Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain, and Premier Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, which met at Yalta in Crimea to plan the final defeat and occupationof Nazi Germany. It had already been decided that Germany would be divided into occupied zones administered by U.S., British, French, and Soviet forces. The conferees accepted the principle that the Allies had no duty toward the Germans except to provide minimum subsistence, declared that the German military industry would be abolished or confiscated, and agreed that major war criminals would be tried before an international court, which subsequently presided at Nürnberg.”
2. “Regarding the Far East, a secret protocol stipulated that, in return for the Soviet Union’s entering the war against Japan within “two or three months” after Germany’s surrender, …Stalin agreed to sign a pact of alliance and friendship with China.” 3. “After the agreements reached at Yalta were made public in 1946, they were harshly criticized in the United States. This was because, as events turned out, Stalin failed to keep his promise that free elections would be held in Poland,Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Instead, communist governments were established in all those countries, noncommunist political parties were suppressed.” |
1. This is relevant to answering what happened at Yalta as it describes what was decided in Germany and what their standard of living would be like. The allies would provide minimum sustenance, German military and industry to be abolished or confiscated (to prevent attacks of mutiny) and major war criminals to be tried before an international court. Which is located at Nuremberg.
2. Communism – Where all factors at production (industry, agriculture and Business) are owned by the state for the good of everyone. Stalin agreed to sign a pact of alliance and friendship with China. This may have been planned as rising issues of communism in China emerged. Stalin could take advantage of this. This information is relevant to answering what happened at Yalta as it shows what Stalin decided and possible reasons why. 3. Effected parts of world and significant to Poland, Czechoslovakia. Hungary Romania and Bulgaria as communist governments were established in what was promised to be a democratic and free elections. Secret Police and Red Army suppressed non-communist political parties. |
Source 10: The NZ History website which provides information about how the Yalta Conference affected New Zealand and its effects on the nation.
1. "New Zealand's anti-Nuclear stance led to the severing of overt military ties with the United States in 1985."
2. "During the late 1940's New Zealand agreed to support Britain in the Middle East in the event of war with the Soviet Union, and sent troops to Korea (1950-1953) when communist North Korea invaded US - backed South Korea. In 1951, New Zealand and Australia strengthened Pacific security by signing the ANZUS military defence treaty with the United States. At home, old War paranoia saw communist party members removed from government jobs, while strikers during 1951 waterfront dispute were labelled communist for disrupting the war effort in Korea." 3. "Nuclear Free commemorative Stamp - Anti War protests were part of a broader scepticism about Cold War ideology that emerged during the 1960's. Cold War Leaders: New Zealand Peter Fraser (1940-1949) Sidney Holland (1949-1957) Walter Nash (1957-1960) Keith Holyoake (1960-1972) Norman Kirk (1972-1974) Bill Rowling (1974-1975) Robert Muldoon (1975-1984) David Lange (1984-1989)" |
1. Relevant as the alliances formed at Yalta had significant impact on New Zealanders. Including breakdown of military ties between America and New Zealand over Anti-nuclear stance.
2. Effect on New Zealand and significance as it caused “Cold War Paranoia” on New Zealand soil, leading to the removal of all communist party members from government roles. Also caused riots and strikes which disrupted war efforts in Korea. 3. Cold War Leaders in New Zealand at the time. Peter Fraser in charge during Yalta Conference and signed United Nations Charter. Further explained in annotations on source 5. |