1. What were some of the key decisions
made at theYalta Conference?
What were some of the key decisions
made at the Potsdam Conference?
What issues may arise because of the
agreements reached?
2. Stalin announced that capitalism and
communism would eventually clash.
Soviets stopped trade with the west and
started make modern weaponry
4. United States must help all free people who
were “resisting attempted subjugation by
armed minorities and outside pressures.”
Asked Congress to economically support the
Greek andTurkish governments
5. June 1947
A plan to rebuild Europe afterWWII
$17 billion to aid Europe over 5 years
Soviets refused to take part
6. Made the US look altruistic
It preserved access to European markets
It made Stalin and the USSR look evil
It curbed the appeal of communism to
Europeans
Editor's Notes
Tell students about the change of leadership between the Yalta and Potsdam conference. Also describe that at Potsdam, Truman told the Soviet Union he was going to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
This added to the tension between the two countries. Remember at Potsdam, Truman told of his plan to drop the atomic bomb. Many saw this speech as a declaration of World War III. What do you think the United States response might be to this speech?
It became the goal of the United States to keep communism contained where it was at already. Soviet Union wanted to expand and take on countries surrounding Russia. These were satellite, or bordering countries. Why do you think the Soviet Union would want this?
It soon became clear that there were two ways of life. Listen to President Truman explain what he saw as the situation. After the video, ask the students to explain what they heard.
In other words, the United States would support countries who supported their belief system and democracy. Truman, in the same speech, we heard before asked congress for $400 million dollars in military and economic aid to Greek and Turkish governments. This helped shaped foreign policy for the next twenty or so years. This caused people of the United States to view communism as a major threat and to promote democracy.
Conditions in Europe were still bad even though the war had been over for two years at this point. Secretary of State George Marshall created this plan to help rebuild Europe. The plan involved spending billions of dollars to help rebuild Europe. The USSR was initially involved but refused to take part. They believed the United States was trying to take over Europe. To qualify, nations had to agree to spend the dollars on goods from the United States.
This is one of the most successful programs. What does it mean to be altruistic? (students should respond with nice, good, helpful) This also helped boost the European markets that had dwindled after the war. Because the Soviets did not get involved, it made them appear evil. It made them seem like their best interest wasn’t to save the country. Furthermore, it helped stopped the appeal of communism. The Soviet Union at this point had taken over much of Eastern Europe, including Czechoslovakia in 1948. Because of this plan, communism was weakened in Western Europe. So at this point, there is a divide in Europe between free markets/democracy and communism.
