Professional Documents
Culture Documents
AP US History
Period 2
February 18, 2008
Chapter 29.1: The Cold War
DQ #8: Tension between the US/GB and the Soviets was evident throughout WWII, despite the
fact that the USSR was an ally. What issues caused the tension? How important was the
Eastern Front to the outcome of the war in Europe?
I. Causes of Tensions b/w US/GB & Soviets
nations abandoned their traditional beliefs in military alliances & spheres of influence;
though both signed the Atlantic Charter, both uneasy about the implications of self-
determination
Soviet Union---create secure sphere in Central & Eastern Europe as protection against
possible future aggression from West
C. Wartime Diplomacy
• Casablanca, Morocco (1943)--- G. B. & America refused for immediate opening of second front
in western Europe- Stalin’s most important demand
instead assured Stalin that they would only cease involvement in war with an
unconditional surrender from Axis power
Roosevelt & Churchill---willing to allow Stalin to annex some originally Polish territory
Compromise:
Compromise:
• U.S.A., G.B., France, & Soviet Union control own zone of occupation in
Germany[determined by position of troops at end of war]
E. Roosevelt’s Death
• Roosevelt had agreed to Soviet terms of Poland, Germany, Manchuria, Kurile Islands b/c he
had thought his personal role as the conciliator would be a key to lasting peace
• Roosevelt’s sudden death (April 12, 1945)- Harry Truman becomes president; highly
suspicious and resentful towards USSR
A. Strategic Importance
• forced Germany to arm itself on both sides---West: America & G.B.; East: USSR
• Soviet victory at Stalingrad (August 21, 1942 ~ February 2, 1943) stopped high tide of
German advance
B. Lasting Impact
CONCLUSION: Tensions among USSR, Great Britain, and America had long begun before the war and
continued to dictate their attitude and treatment towards each other during World War II. Their
diverging war vision was one of the major differences in the “Big Three’s” motives. Roosevelt,
Churchill, and Stalin avoided acerbities about the sovereignty of countries in the Eastern Front and
the question of government in Poland. They, however, left no plausible peace solution to the conflict
and it would evolve a few years later into the Cold War.