Conferences of the Second World War. “The history of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people (in the context of World War II) Rumors that the Germans were looking for approaches to the allies with a view to concluding a separate peace increased the distrust and suspicion of the Russians

Introduction.

Main part:

1. Moscow conference 1943.

2. Tehran Conference .

3. Crimean Conference of Heads of Government of the USSR, USA and Great Britain .

4. Potsdam Conference .

III . Conclusion.

In the history of World War II, the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam conferences occupy special pages. The powers of the anti-Hitler coalition made decisions at them that subsequently had enormous international significance. The whole world was given a convincing example of the possibility of military and political cooperation between states with different social systems.

Moscow conference .

Even during the conference in Quebec it was said: “At the end of the war, Russia will occupy a dominant position in Europe. After the defeat of Germany, there will not be a single power left in Europe that could resist the enormous military forces of Russia. Since Russia is the decisive factor in the war, every possible assistance must be provided to her and every effort must be made to achieve her friendship.”

The successes of the Soviet army forced the governments of the USA and England to consider the most important international problems together with the government of the USSR. In the second half of 1943, meetings were held between representatives of the USSR, the USA and England, which confirmed the possibility and necessity of international cooperation between states in resolving issues of warfare and the post-war world order.

A conference of USSR foreign ministers took place in Moscow on October 19-30, 1943. USA and England. Government delegations were sent to Moscow: the American one was headed by K. Hull, the British one by A. Eden. Military missions were sent to help them. The Soviet delegation was headed by V.M. Molotov.

At the conference in Moscow, the main attention was paid to the issue of military cooperation between the three great powers. The USSR insisted on reducing the duration of the war against Germany and its satellites. The rulers of the USA and England were unable to put forward any arguments against the Soviet proposals. In addition, the conference recognized the need to develop international cooperation after the war.

Issues about Eastern Europe occupied a large place in the negotiations. On Churchill's instructions, Eden tried to secure the consent of the USSR and the USA to a British invasion of South-Eastern Europe with the participation of Turkey. The USSR stated that the desire to invade was dictated by goals that had nothing to do with the interests of the peoples. The USSR insisted on creating a second front in Western Europe. Representatives of England and the USA sought the consent of the USSR to restore diplomatic relations with the Polish émigré government. These proposals could not meet with the support of the Soviet side and did not produce results.

Tehran Conference.

Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt first met in Tehran at the end of November 1943. They discussed issues of military strategy and post-war structure to achieve peace and stability. The negotiations took place in an atmosphere of sincerity, goodwill and hope for good mutual understanding and cooperation in the years to come.

Anglo-Soviet relations remained very tense after Churchill's last visit to Moscow, when he told Stalin that there would be no second front in 1942. They were aggravated by failures with the supply of weapons by convoy to the northern ports of Russia. The British Navy almost destroyed convoy PQ-17. It was, in Churchill's words, "the saddest episode in the war at sea." In a letter dated July 17, Churchill announced that sending convoys would stop for some time, to which Stalin responded with an angry letter. It was a dignified, sharp protest against the decision of the Allies at a time when the Red Army was in a threatening position at Stalingrad and was in dire need of supplies of raw materials and weapons.

There was still no second front, and Anglo-Soviet relations continued to deteriorate. President Roosevelt's personal representative, Wendell Willkie, said in Moscow that the United States was not against opening a second front in 1942, but Churchill and the British military command created obstacles.

The victory at Stalingrad somewhat softened Stalin's harshness towards the allies. The North African campaign and the bombing of Germany meant an awakening of some activity on their part. However, Stalin still did not miss an opportunity to mention the need to open a second front in France and reproach the allies for inaction.

Rumors that the Germans were seeking approaches to the Allies with a view to concluding a separate peace increased the mistrust and suspicion of the Russians. However, Stalin denied these rumors and the very possibility of separate negotiations, for “it is clear that only the complete destruction of Hitler’s armies and the unconditional surrender of Hitler’s Germany will establish peace in Europe.”

At this time, Stalin dissolved the Comintern, which had always posed a direct threat to the West from militant communism. To Stalin, the opponent of internationalism and the author of socialism in one country, the Comintern was a hindrance and did not contribute to Russian interests at this critical time. The abolition of the Comintern was received with satisfaction and understanding by the Allies.

United Nations.

On November 25, Stalin, accompanied by Molotov, Voroshilov and bodyguards from the NKVD, traveled by train to Stalingrad and Baku, and from there by plane to Tehran. Shtemenko, as a representative of the Headquarters, carried maps of the combat areas. In Tehran, Stalin settled in a villa in the Soviet Embassy. Shtemenko and the cryptographers occupied the room next door, next to the communications center. From here Stalin contacted Vatutin, Rokossovsky and Antonov, continuing to direct operations at the fronts.

The first meeting took place on the afternoon of November 28 at the Soviet Embassy. The British and American delegations consisted of 20-30 people each, while with Stalin there were only Molotov, Voroshilov and translator Pavlov.

Speaking at the conference, Stalin spoke balancedly, calmly, and expressed his thoughts very clearly and concisely. What irritated him most were the long and vague speeches that Churchill often made.

At the conference, Stalin showed interest in the immediate military plans of the Allies, especially regarding the second front. He also thought and spoke a lot about the post-war structure of Europe, the future of Poland and Germany, and the establishment and maintenance of peace.

Churchill and Roosevelt talked about military operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, about Turkey's involvement in the war, about sending Anglo-American ships to the Black Sea. Stalin again returned to the issue of the Allied landing in France. It would be a mistake to scatter forces on operations in the Mediterranean. All efforts must be concentrated on opening a second front (Operation Overlord). Churchill, always fascinated by the many options in plans, countered this with the possibility of operations in the Balkans. Stalin's patience ran out. Towards the end of the meeting on November 29, Stalin, looking into Churchill’s eyes, said:

“I want to ask the Prime Minister a very direct question regarding Operation Overlord.” Do the Prime Minister and the British delegation really believe in this operation?

“If the above conditions for this operation are created by the time it matures, we will consider it our direct duty to transfer across the English Channel all the forces we have available against the Germans,” Churchill replied.

It was a typical response from an experienced diplomat, full of reservations and rhetoric. Stalin wanted to hear a simple “yes,” but refrained from commenting. Churchill later said that he fully supported the Allied landing plan in France, but did not agree with the American plan for landing in the Bay of Bengal against the Japanese. Stalin again emphasized the importance of the landing in northern France and said that this operation would be supported by a powerful Russian offensive.

To Stalin's delight, the opening of the second front was scheduled for May.

At the next meeting, discussions centered around Poland. Stalin intended to strengthen his western borders by any means. It was necessary to solve the problem of Poland, which had been hostile to Russia for more than three hundred years. He was also worried about the hostility of the Polish government in London. Stalin understood that the centuries-old hostility between the two nations could not disappear instantly, but he also could not allow an unfriendly Poland, led by anti-Russian leaders Sikorski and Anders, to revive on the Russian border. The Union of Polish Patriots was formed in Russia.

At the Tehran Conference, Stalin openly outlined his vision of resolving the Polish question after the war. Churchill and Eden agreed that the border should run along the Oder, and Lvov should become part of the Soviet Union.

Crimean conference of heads of government of the USSR, USA and Great Britain.

The proposal for a summit meeting to discuss the problems that arose in the final stage of the war was made by Roosevelt in a message to Stalin on July 19, 1944.
In 1944, secret contacts between senior German officials and representatives of the intelligence services of England and the United States greatly intensified, with the goal of counteracting the strengthening of American-Soviet relations and facilitating the conclusion of a separate deal. The assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944 and secret information about the democratic beliefs of a number of its participants (and, above all, Colonel von Stauffenberg) increased the interest of US military leaders in establishing contacts with Wehrmacht generals opposed to Hitler, who were inclined towards a separate peace with the Western allies on the terms of a break with The Soviet Union and preventing the "Bolshevization of Europe".

British diplomacy had a significant influence on the activation of forces opposing the strengthening of Soviet-American relations.
The pressure on the White House from the right wing of Congress and the conservative press, which invariably viewed the Soviet Union as a potential enemy, increased noticeably. As the November 1944 elections approached, the campaign for a revision of foreign policy gained momentum. Therefore, in a telegram to Stalin, Roosevelt spoke in favor of an early summit meeting. It was important to consolidate in the US foreign policy the positive changes in relations with the USSR, achieved since their restoration in 1933 and developed during the war.

Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus

Educational institution

"Belarusian State University

computer science and radio electronics"

Specialty: POIT

Faculty: NDO

Option 17

Minsk 2011

Topic 17. International conferences of leaders of allied countries during the Second World War.

Tehran Conference, its main decisions.

Tehran Conference- the first conference of the “Big Three” during the Second World War - the leaders of three countries: F. D. Roosevelt (USA), W. Churchill (Great Britain) and I. V. Stalin (USSR), held in Tehran on November 28 - December 1 1943. The conference became an important stage in the development of international and inter-allied relations; a number of issues of war and peace were considered and resolved at it - the exact date for the opening of a second front by the Allies in France was set (during May 1944 (see "Overlord" i), the statement of I.V. Stalin was also taken into account that Soviet troops would launch an offensive at about the same time in order to prevent the transfer of German forces from the Eastern to the Western Front) and the “Balkan strategy” proposed by Great Britain was rejected, the contours of the post-war world order were outlined , a unity of views was achieved on issues of ensuring international security and lasting peace, and a beginning was made for resolving the Polish issue.

The conference was called upon to develop a final strategy for the fight against Germany and its allies. The main issue was the opening of a second front in Western Europe.

After much debate, the Overlord issue came to a standstill. Then Stalin rose from his chair and, turning to Voroshilov and Molotov, said with irritation: “We have too much to do at home to waste time here. Nothing worthwhile, as I see it, is working out.” The critical moment has arrived. Churchill understood this and, fearing that the conference might be disrupted, made a compromise.

O. B. Rakhmanin

At the same time, issues of granting independence to Iran (“Declaration on Iran”) were discussed - the participants stated “their desire to preserve the complete independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran”, and the USSR began the war with Japan: Soviet. The delegation, meeting the requests of the US and Great Britain, and also taking into account Japan's repeated violations of the 1941 Soviet-Japanese neutrality treaty and in order to shorten the duration of the war in the Far East, declared the USSR's readiness to enter the war against Japan at the end of the war. actions in Europe, the right was de facto assigned to the Soviet Union to annex part of East Prussia as an indemnity after the victory (England put forward its plan for the dismemberment of Germany, which provided for the isolation of Prussia from the rest of Germany, as well as the separation of its southern provinces and their inclusion along with Austria and Hungary in the so-called Danube Confederation. However, the position of the Soviet Union prevented the Western powers from implementing these plans. At the Tehran conference, a preliminary agreement was reached on the establishment of the borders of Poland along the “Curzon Line” of 1920 in the east along the Oder River. (Odra) - in the west). Also, F. Roosevelt proposed dividing Germany into 5 states.

The results of the Tehran conference indicate the possibility of military and political cooperation between states and various societies and systems in solving international problems. The conference contributed to the strengthening of the anti-Hitler coalition.

Crimean (Yalta) Conference, its decisions and significance

Crimean Conference of 1945, Yalta Conference of 1945, conference of the heads of government of the three allied powers in the 2nd World War 1939 - 1945 - USSR, USA, Great Britain: prev. Council of People's Commissars of the USSR J.V. Stalin, US President F.D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister W. Churchill with the participation of foreign ministers. affairs, beginning headquarters and other advisers. It took place in Yalta on February 4-11, during the period when, as a result of powerful offensive attacks by the Soviet Army, which suffered war. actions on germ. territory, the war against Nazi Germany entered its final stage. Military agreements were agreed upon at the K.K. the powers' plans will end. defeat of the fascists. Germany, their attitude towards Germany after its unconditional surrender was determined and the main principles were outlined. principles of general policy regarding post-war. peace organizations. It was decided that after the German armed resistance was completely crushed, armament. forces of the USSR, USA and Great Britain occupy Germany; Moreover, the troops of each of the mentioned powers will occupy a certain part (zone) of Germany. It was also envisaged to create a coordinated allied force in Germany. administration and the establishment of control exercised through a specially created control body consisting of the commanders-in-chief of the three powers, headquartered in Berlin. It was indicated that France would be invited to take over a certain zone of occupation and participate as the fourth member of this control body. A specific settlement of the issue regarding the zones of occupation of Germany was reached even before the KK in the European Advisory Commission and was recorded in the “Protocol of the Agreement between the governments of the USSR, the USA and the United Kingdom on the zones of occupation of Germany and on the management of “Greater Berlin”” dated September 12, 1944 The conference participants stated that their adamant goal was to destroy Germany, militarism and Nazism and create guarantees that “Germany will never again be able to disturb the peace”, “disarm and disband all German armed forces. forces and destroy the German General Staff forever,” “to seize or destroy all German military equipment, to liquidate or take control of all German industry that could be used for war production; subject all war criminals to fair and speedy punishment...; wipe out the Nazi Party, Nazi laws, organizations and institutions from the face of the earth; eliminate all Nazi and militaristic influence from public institutions, from the cultural and economic life of the German people."

At the same time, the KK communiqué emphasized that after the eradication of Nazism and militarism, the Germans. the people will be able to take their rightful place in the community of nations. An exchange of views took place on the issue of reparations from Germany.

KK made a decision on the creation of the United Nations (UN). Participants of the K.K. determined that on April 25. 1945 in San Francisco (USA) a conference of the United Nations will be convened, which will prepare the final text of the UN Charter (see San Francisco Conference 1945). It was agreed that the UN's activities in resolving fundamental issues of ensuring peace would be based on the principle of unanimity of the great powers - permanent members of the UN Security Council.

CC adopted the “Declaration of a Liberated Europe”, in which the Allied powers declared their desire to coordinate their actions in deciding political issues. and economical problems of liberated Europe. The declaration stated: “The establishment of order in Europe and the reorganization of national economic life must be achieved in such a way as will enable the liberated peoples to destroy the last traces of Nazism and fascism and to create democratic institutions of their own choice.”

On the issue of “On Poland,” the KK communiqué expressed “the general desire to see a strong, free, independent and democratic Poland established.”

An agreement was reached on the creation of the government of Poland on a broad basis, with the inclusion of democratic. figures from Poland itself and Poles from abroad. It was decided that the Soviet-Polish border should pass along the Curzon Line with a retreat from it in certain areas from 5 to 8 km in favor of Poland, that Poland would receive a significant increase in territory. on N. and on 3

On the issue of Yugoslavia, the KK adopted a number of recommendations on the formation of the Provisional United Government of Yugoslavia and the creation of a Provisional Parliament on the basis of the Anti-Fascist National Assembly. liberation of Yugoslavia.

At the Caucasus, the “Agreement of the Three Great Powers on Far Eastern Issues” was adopted, which provided for the entry of the Soviet Union into the war against Japan two to three months after the surrender of Germany and the end of the war in Europe. The agreement stated, in particular, that at the end of the war the south would be returned to the USSR. part o. Sakhalin and all the adjacent islands were transferred to the Kuril Islands. The KK also considered the issue of creating a permanent mechanism for regular consultations between foreign ministers. affairs of the three powers.

In the communiqué of the United Nations, the three allied powers expressed “their determination to preserve and strengthen in the coming period of peace that unity of purpose and action which has made victory in modern war possible and certain for the United Nations.”

Many decisions of the KK, as well as other joint agreements of the allied powers during the war and its end, did not find their consistent implementation in the post-war years due to the fault of the Western powers, which set a course for inflaming the Cold War against the socialist countries, for the revival West German militarism and revanchism.

This is how historians of the Soviet Union saw the results of the Yalta Conference (Great Soviet Encyclopedia). However, for the sake of objectivity, I would like to cite the view of historians of the modern period, in particular Natalia Alekseevna Narochitskaya, from her book “Yalta-45: Outlines of a New World” (material provided by the Free Encyclopedia).

Meaning

Russian postage stamp of 1995, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Conference

IN 1943 in Tehran Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin And Winston Churchill discussed mainly the problem of achieving victory over Third Reich, V Potsdam in July-August 1945, the allies resolved issues of peaceful settlement and division Germany, and in Yalta the main decisions were made on the future division of the world between the victorious countries.

By that time the collapse Nazism There was no longer any doubt, and victory over Germany was only a matter of time - as a result of powerful offensive strikes by Soviet troops, military operations were transferred to German territory, and the war entered its final stage. Fate Japan also did not raise any special questions, since the United States already controlled almost all Pacific Ocean. The Allies understood that they had a unique chance to manage the history of Europe in their own way, since for the first time in history, almost all of Europe was in the hands of just three states.

All decisions of Yalta, in general, related to two problems.

Firstly, it was necessary to draw new state borders on the territory recently occupied by the Third Reich. At the same time, it was necessary to establish unofficial, but generally recognized by all sides, demarcation lines between the spheres of influence of the Allies - a task that had begun back in Tehran.

Secondly, the allies understood perfectly well that after the disappearance of the common enemy, the forced unification of the West and the USSR would lose all meaning, and therefore it was necessary to create procedures to guarantee the immutability of the dividing lines drawn on the world map.

Redistribution of borders

In this regard, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin managed to find a common language on almost all issues.

Poland

Its outlines changed dramatically after World War II. Poland, which before the war was the largest country in Central Europe, sharply shrank and moved to the west and north. Until 1939, its eastern border was practically under Kiev and Minsk, and besides, the Poles owned the Vilna region, which now became part of Lithuania. The western border with Germany was located east of the Oder, while most of the Baltic coast also belonged to Germany. In the east of the pre-war territory, the Poles were a national minority among Ukrainians and Belarusians, while part of the territories in the west and north inhabited by Poles was under German jurisdiction.

The USSR received the western border with Poland according to the so-called "Curzon lines", installed back in 1920, with a retreat from it in some areas from 5 to 8 km in favor of Poland. In fact, the border returned to the position at the time of the division of Poland between Germany and the USSR in 1939 according to the secret additional protocol on the division of spheres of interest to Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, the main difference from which was the transmission Poland Bialystok region.

Although Poland had been under German rule for six years by that time, there was a provisional government of this country in exile in London, which was recognized by the USSR and therefore could well lay claim to power in its country after the end of the war. However, Stalin in Crimea managed to get the allies to agree to create a new government in Poland itself “with the inclusion of democratic figures from Poland itself and Poles from abroad.” This decision, implemented in the presence of Soviet troops, allowed the USSR to later, without much difficulty, form a political regime that suited it in Warsaw.

Germany

The Big Three negotiation table. Livadia, Crimea

A fundamental decision was made on the occupation and division of Germany into occupation zones and the allocation France your zone.

A specific settlement of the issue regarding the zones of occupation of Germany was reached even before the Crimean conference and was recorded in “Protocol of the Agreement between the governments of the USSR, the USA and the United Kingdom on the zones of occupation of Germany and on the administration of"Greater Berlin" » dated September 12, 1944.

This decision predetermined the split of the country for many decades. On May 23, 1949, the Constitution was put into effect Federal Republic of Germany, previously signed by representatives of the three Western powers. On September 7, 1949, the first session of the West German parliament proclaimed the creation of a new state. In reply October 7th 1949 on the territory of the Soviet occupation zone was formed German Democratic Republic. There was also talk about separating East Prussia(later, after Potsdam, on 1/3 of this territory the current Kaliningrad region).

The participants of the Yalta Conference stated that their adamant goal was to destroy German militarism and Nazism and create guarantees that "Germany will never again be able to disturb the peace", “disarm and disband all German armed forces and destroy the German General Staff forever,” “seize or destroy all German military equipment, liquidate or take control of all German industry that could be used for war production; to subject all war criminals to fair and speedy punishment; wipe out Nazi Party, Nazi laws, organizations and institutions; eliminate all Nazi and militaristic influence from public institutions, from the cultural and economic life of the German people." However, in communique The conference emphasized that after the eradication of Nazism and militarism, the German people would be able to take their rightful place in the community of nations.

Balkans

The eternal Balkan question - in particular, the situation in Yugoslavia And Greece. It is believed that Stalin allowed Great Britain to decide the fate of the Greeks, as a result of which later clashes between communist and pro-Western forces in this country were decided in favor of the latter. On the other hand, it was actually recognized that power in Yugoslavia would be received NOAU Josipa Broz Tito, who, however, was recommended to take “democrats” into the government.

...It was then that Churchill touched upon the topic that interested him most.
“Let's settle our affairs in the Balkans,” he said. - Your armies are in Romania and Bulgaria. We have interests there, our missions and agents. Let's avoid clashes over petty matters. Since we are talking about England and Russia, what do you think if you had 90% of the influence in Romania, and we, say, 90% of the influence in Greece? And 50% to 50% in Yugoslavia?
While his words were being translated into Russian, Churchill jotted down these percentages on a piece of paper and pushed the paper across the table to Stalin. He glanced at it and handed it back to Churchill. There was a pause. The piece of paper was lying on the table. Churchill did not touch him. Finally he said:
“Will it be considered too cynical that we have so easily resolved issues that affect millions of people?” Let's better burn this paper...
“No, keep it with you,” said Stalin.
Churchill folded the paper in half and put it in his pocket.

- Berezhkov V. M. Complexities of inter-allied relations. Strange proposal // Pages of diplomatic history. - 4th ed. - M.: International relationships, 1987. - P. 478. - 616 p. - 130,000 copies.

It was also signed in Yalta Declaration of a Liberated Europe, which determined the principles of the policy of the victors in the territories conquered from the enemy. It assumed, in particular, the restoration of the sovereign rights of the peoples of these territories, as well as the right of the allies to jointly “help” these peoples “improve conditions” for the exercise of these same rights. The declaration stated: “The establishment of order in Europe and the reconstruction of national economic life must be achieved in such a way as will enable the liberated peoples to destroy the last traces of Nazism and fascism and to create democratic institutions of their own choice.”

The idea of ​​joint assistance, as expected, later did not become a reality: each victorious power had power only in those territories where its troops were stationed. As a result, each of the former allies in the war began to diligently support their own ideological allies after it ended. Europe within a few years it was divided into the socialist camp and Western Europe, where Washington, London and Paris tried to resist communist sentiments.

Reparations

Once again the question was raised about reparations. However, the Allies were never able to finally determine the amount of compensation. It was only decided that the United States and Great Britain would give Moscow 50 percent of all reparations.

Far East

A separate document fundamentally decided the fate of Far East. In exchange for the participation of Soviet troops in the war against Japan Stalin received significant concessions from the United States and Great Britain. Firstly, the USSR received Kuril Islands And Southern Sakhalin, lost back in Russian-Japanese war. In addition, for Mongolia the status of an independent state was recognized. The Soviet side was also promised Port Arthur And Chinese Eastern Railway(CER).

In Yalta, the implementation of the idea of ​​a new League of Nations. The Allies needed an interstate organization capable of preventing attempts to change the established boundaries of their spheres of influence. It was at the conferences of the winners in Tehran and Yalta and at the intermediate negotiations at Dumbarton Oaks ideology was formed United Nations.

It was agreed that the UN’s activities in resolving fundamental issues of ensuring peace would be based on the principle of unanimity of the great powers - permanent members Security Council having veto.

Stalin achieved the agreement of his partners that among the founders and members of the UN there should be not only the USSR, but also Ukrainian SSR And Byelorussian SSR. And it was in the Yalta documents that the date “ 25th of April 1945" - start date San Francisco conference, which was intended to produce UN Charter.

Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin in Yalta. February 1945

The UN became a symbol and formal guarantor of the post-war world order, an authoritative and sometimes even quite effective organization in resolving interstate problems. At the same time, the victorious countries continued to prefer to resolve truly serious issues in their relations through bilateral negotiations, rather than within the UN framework. The UN also failed to prevent the wars that both the United States and the Soviet Union waged over the past decades.

Heritage of Yalta

The Crimean conference of the leaders of the USA, USSR and Great Britain was of great historical significance. It was one of the largest international meetings of wartime, an important milestone in the cooperation of the powers of the anti-Hitler coalition in waging war against a common enemy. The adoption of agreed decisions on important issues at the conference once again showed the possibility of international cooperation between states with different social systems.

Created in Yalta bipolar world and the rigid division of Europe into east and west survived for only a little more than 40 years, until the end of the 1980s, which indicates the instability of such a system.

The Yalta system collapsed in literally two or three years at the turn of the 1980s-1990s, when the “East”, which personified the USSR, disappeared from the world map. Since then, the boundaries of spheres of influence in Europe have been determined only by the current balance of power. At the same time, most Central And of Eastern Europe survived the disappearance of the former demarcation lines, and Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Baltic countries were even able to integrate into the new picture of the world in Europe.

Conclusion.

After comparing two views on the conference, we can conclude that although one event was described, it was from diametrical points of view: Soviet historians called it humane, while with the fall of the union it appeared as a violent redivision of the world, because the era will be determined person's views. At the same time, one way or another, it was a fateful event that determined the outcome of the war and the post-war distribution of forces.

Berlin (Potsdam) conference, discussion and decision-making on the main problems of the post-war world order.

This is how the Potsdam conference was described by the historian of the 70s M. E. Monin:

J.V. Stalin, G. Truman and W. Churchill during a break between meetings.
Potsdam. July 1945

Potsdam Conference of 1945, Berlin Conference, conference of heads of government of the USSR, USA and Great Britain, which discussed the problems of the post-war world order in Europe. It took place from July 17 to August 2 at the Cecilienhof Palace in Potsdam. The Soviet delegation was headed by J.V. Stalin, the American by G. Truman, the British by W. Churchill, and on July 28, his successor as Prime Minister, C. Attlee. The German question occupied a decisive place on the agenda of P.K. The heads of the three powers agreed to implement a coordinated policy during the occupation of Germany. Its essence was formulated in the form of the principles of demilitarization, democratization and denazification of the country. The purpose of this agreement, it was emphasized in the final document of the conference, “is the implementation of the Crimean Declaration on Germany.” The three powers affirmed that "German militarism and Nazism will be eradicated" so that Germany will never again threaten its neighbors or the preservation of world peace. It was envisaged that the supreme power in Germany would be exercised by the commanders-in-chief of the armed forces. forces of the USSR, USA, England and France, each in its own zone of occupation, according to the instructions of the respective governments. An agreement was reached on the complete demilitarization and disarmament of Germany: the abolition of all its weapons. forces, SS, SA, SD and Gestapo with all their organizations, headquarters (including the General Staff) and institutions, schools, institutions, military and paramilitary organizations, the liquidation of its entire military. industry or control over it, as well as the destruction or surrender of all weapons and ammunition to the allies. Specific measures were outlined for political restructuring. life in Germany on a democratic basis. basis, including: destroy the fascist. the party, its branches, controlled organizations and institutions so that they do not revive in any form; repeal all Nazi laws that served the interests of the Hitler regime; to be brought to trial by military criminals and all those who participated in the planning and implementation of Nazi atrocities; remove all active Nazis from public and semi-public positions, as well as from positions of responsibility in private firms; reorganize the education, justice and local government systems in accordance with the principles of democracy; allow and encourage democratic activities. political parties; ensure respect for freedom of speech, press and religion. Economical the principles regarding Germany included: a ban on the production of weapons, military. equipment, military airplanes and sea vessels of all types; restriction and strict control of the production of metals, mechanical engineering products, chemicals. products and other items necessary for the military. economics; destruction of excessive concentration of economic. forces in the form of cartels, syndicates, trusts, etc. The Conference decided to consider Germany as a single economic. whole.

When discussing economic Soviet principles the delegation managed to overcome the stubborn resistance of the Westerners. powers who sought to prevent the elimination of military-economic. potential of Germany. The US and British delegations did not agree, however, with the proposals of the USSR delegation to establish joint control of the four great powers over the Ruhr region - military-economic. base of germanism, militarism. This position of the S1PA and England testified to the intentions of the imperialists. countries in the future to use Germany as their ally in the fight against the USSR. A sharp struggle was waged in the P.K. over the issue of reparations. The delegations decided that all four powers would receive reparations from their zones of occupation and from German investments abroad; The USSR, in addition to this, 25% of everything withdrawn from Western countries. industrial zones equipment, of which 15% in exchange for equivalent supplies of coal, food and other materials. The USSR satisfied the reparations from its share of reparations. Polish claims. All reparations were to be paid in kind in the form of industrial goods. equipment and supplies of goods. At the suggestion of the USSR delegation, a decision was made to divide the surface area. military, as well as merchant ships of Germany are divided equally between the USSR, the USA and England. Submarine, boats, at the suggestion of England, were to be sunk. The division of the ships was to be completed no later than February 15. 1946. P.K. agreed with Sov. proposal to transfer the city of Koenigsberg (Kaliningrad) and the surrounding area to the USSR. Consensus was also accepted. decision to bring the main Germans to trial. military criminals P.K. considered the issue of Poland, determined its western borders along the Oder-West line. Neisse. Part of the territory of the former East Prussia was also included in Poland. In accordance with the recommendations of the Crimean Conference of 1945, by the time of the convening of the P.K., a national government had been formed in Poland. unity. The US and British delegations tried again, as in Yalta, to impose people's democracy. Poland has a number of demands, including expanding the composition of the industry due to the reaction. elements. However, thanks to the firm position of the owls. The US and British delegations were forced to unconditionally recognize the national government. unity of Poland. During the work of the PK, delegations from the United States and England repeatedly opposed the people's democracy. system installed in the countries of Center and South-East. Europe, tried to impose decisions on the conference that would mean open interference in internal affairs. affairs of the peoples of these countries. The USSR delegation resolutely opposed the Western policy. powers At the P.K. it was decided to begin preparing draft peace treaties with Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Finland. For this purpose, a special one was established. body - the Council of Foreign Ministers. The USA and England again raised the question of its entry into the war against Japan before the USSR. Sov. The delegation confirmed the readiness of the USSR to fulfill its obligations adopted at the Crimean Conference. The decisions of the PK were aimed at ensuring peace and security in Europe. Their adoption convincingly showed that states belonging to different. societies, systems, can reach mutually acceptable agreements on the largest and most complex international. problems in the name of global peace and security. Sov. The government consistently implemented the decisions of the P.K., they were fully implemented in the east. parts of Germany. However, soon after the Revolutionary War, the Western powers began to violate the accepted agreements and pursue a separate policy towards the West. Germany, to encourage the development of militarism and reaction in it.

G.K. Zhukov and N.G. Kuznetsov during the Potsdam Conference
as military advisers.

However, only with the fall of the union can we safely say what really happened there, for which I present an article written according to the recollections of eyewitnesses of those events:

The conference "strengthened ties between the three governments
and expanded the scope of their cooperation and understanding."
The governments and peoples of the three powers - participants in the conference -
"together with other united nations
will ensure the creation of a just and lasting peace."

From the materials of the Podsdam Conference

The first to arrive at the conference, on July 15, was US President Harry Truman. On the same day, but a little later, Winston Churchill also arrived. Stalin arrived in Berlin by train on the afternoon of July 16. The conference took place in the Cecilienhof Palace, built during the First World War. It was easy to get to the building and its interior was amazing. Previously it was Goebbels's villa. Near the palace, on a large lake, three warships were serving under national flags - one from each country participating in the conference. All meetings were chaired by US President Henry Truman. During the conference, Churchill was defeated in the elections, and his successor, Clement Attlee, soon arrived in Potsdam. The Soviet delegation included many famous people: Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, commanders Georgy Zhukov and Konstantin Rokossovsky, People's Commissar of the Navy Nikolai Kuznetsov, diplomat Andrei Gromyko...

On July 24, Truman, in a personal meeting, informed Stalin about the testing of a new super-powerful weapon in the United States. However, he reacted calmly. Churchill, having learned about such a reaction, concluded that the Generalissimo was completely unaware of nuclear weapons issues. Later it became known that this was a subtle game by Stalin. That same evening, he ordered Molotov to talk with Kurchatov about accelerating work on the atomic project.

The decisions of the Crimean Conference were supplemented and consolidated at the Berlin (Potsdam) Conference, held in the suburbs of the defeated capital of Nazi Germany on July 17 - August 2, 1945. This was the last conference of the Allied powers during the Second World War. The USSR delegation was headed by I.V. Stalin, USA - President G. Truman, England - first W. Churchill, and then the new Prime Minister K. Attlee.

By the beginning of the conference, relations between the three allied powers of the anti-Hitler coalition had become significantly more complicated. Anti-Soviet sentiments intensified noticeably in the policies of the Western allies, which was a consequence of a sharp change in the balance of forces in Europe in favor of the Soviet Union. However, the alliance of the three powers did not disintegrate, since the USA and England were very interested in the participation of the Soviet Army in the war against Japan.

During the conference, political and economic principles were adopted that were to guide the initial treatment of defeated Germany. The basis of these principles were points aimed at the demilitarization, democratization and denazification of defeated Nazi Germany so that the threat of aggression would never again come from German soil. It was decided to completely disarm Germany and liquidate the entire German military industry. Along with this, the National Socialist Party was destroyed and all Nazi and militaristic propaganda was prohibited, all Nazi laws were repealed, and measures were envisaged to punish war criminals.

At the conference in Potsdam, the allies also reached an agreement on reparations, that is, financial responsibility for the damage caused by Nazi Germany to the countries that became targets of its aggression. The Allies recognized that the USSR's reparation claims would be satisfied through withdrawals from the Soviet zone of occupation. In addition, a quarter of the industrial equipment intended for reparation payments from the Western zones of occupation was confiscated in favor of the Soviet Union. The German navy and merchant fleet were divided equally between all the victorious powers (including France).

P At the insistence of the Soviet delegation at the Potsdam Conference, it was decided to publish lists of Nazi war criminals and subject them to trial by an international tribunal. Territorial issues of the post-war reconstruction of Europe were also considered.

The city of Königsberg (since 1946 - Kaliningrad) and the adjacent region were transferred to the USSR, the western border of Poland was established along the line of the Oder - Western Neisse rivers. Part of East Prussia and the city of Danzig (Gdansk) were transferred to Poland. The leaders of the delegations participating in the conference agreed to move to Germany the German population who had previously lived in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary.

Attention was also paid to issues related to the problem of concluding peace treaties with the former allies of Nazi Germany - Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland and the admission of these countries to the United Nations.

The conference established the Council of Foreign Ministers of the victorious powers, which, as its main task, was entrusted with developing the texts of peace treaties and taking measures to establish diplomatic relations with the governments of these countries. At the conference, the American and British delegations again raised the issue of the USSR entering the war against Japan. The head of the Soviet delegation confirmed that the Soviet Union would enter the war within the strictly scheduled time frame.

Stalin, during his first meeting with President Truman, wore a white uniform, and Americans addressed him by his new title: "Generalissimo", which the Russian dictator appropriated for himself after his victory over the Germans. Already in these first hours of the meeting between Russians and Americans, Stalin began to mislead his allies, so to speak, as a warm-up for the next day. He told Secretary of State Burns that he, Stalin, was convinced that Hitler was still alive and possibly in Spain or Argentina. And this despite the fact that the Red Army soldiers discovered the remains of Hitler’s burned corpse in the garden of the Reich Chancellery, and Soviet doctors performed an autopsy and identification with an unequivocal result.

Already on the second day of the conference it became obvious that Stalin would like to present Germany as a stump of the former state. Churchill asked: what should be understood by the term “Germany”? During the negotiations at the Potsdam Conference, two protocols were kept: one by the Americans, the other by the Russians. The American protocol was maintained in direct speech, and the Russian one in indirect speech. For narration purposes, both editions of the protocols were used. Stalin replied that Germany is what became of it after the war. Truman proposed, in connection with the negotiations at the conference, to consider Germany as it was in 1937, that is, before the annexation of Austria and before the Munich agreements on the Sudetenland. To this Stalin remarked: “Except for what Germany lost in 1945. Then the Russian dictator continued: “Let us determine the western border of Poland, after which the German question will become clearer. Germany is a country without a government and without firm borders. It is a defeated country.” At the fifth meeting, on Saturday 21 July 1945, the Big Three negotiations were marked by hostility, brazen lies and growing mistrust. The subject of the dispute is the new Polish western borders and the fate of the Germans on the other side of the Oder and Neisse. We were talking about a territory of 114 thousand square kilometers, a quarter of the German Reich, an area four times larger than the Kingdom of Belgium, and almost nine million people.

US President Truman launched a major battle for German territories in the east: he opposed the Poles already creating their own administration in the area between the Oder and Neisse. Truman: "Let me make a statement regarding Poland's western border... We have established our zones of occupation and the boundaries of those zones. But now it appears that another government is receiving an occupation zone, and this has happened without consulting us. If it were intended that Poland should become one of those countries that will be allocated its own occupation zone, then it was necessary to come to an agreement on this earlier... I have a friendly attitude towards Poland and, perhaps, would make a statement that I agree with the proposal of the Soviet government regarding its western border, but I don’t want to do it now, because there will be another place for this, namely the peace conference.”

Churchill persistently repeated his point of view: “We stated that we agree, at Germany’s expense, to compensate Poland for the areas remaining behind the Curzon Line.” But one must be balanced by the other. Now Poland demands significantly more than it gives in the east. I don’t think this will serve for the benefit of Europe, not to mention the allies. The immediate resettlement of eight million people is a cause that I cannot support. Large-scale resettlement would be a shock to my country. It could lead me to a desperate situation. not good for Poland either.”

“Poland,” continued Churchill, “which owes everything to the great powers, has no right to cause a catastrophic situation in providing the German population with food. We do not want our numerically superior German population to be left without any food reserves. Take for example the huge population of the Ruhr region. This population is located in the British zone of occupation. If it is not provided with sufficient food supplies, then conditions similar to the German concentration camps, only on an even larger scale, will reign in our own zone." President Truman took the floor: "It seems like a fait accompli that a large part of Germany has been given to the Poles... I I think that this part of Germany, namely the Silesian coal basin, both from the point of view of reparations and from the point of view of food supply, can be considered as remaining with Germany. I believe that the Poles do not have the right to appropriate this part of Germany and tear it out of the German economy. The question arises in a simple formulation: will the zones remain in force until the peace treaty or will we return Germany piece by piece? "The three great men parted on that day of confrontation without ever coming to an agreement. On July 23, the seventh day of the meetings, Joseph Stalin took part of Germany for the Soviet Union. This was the northern part of East Prussia with Königsberg. He told his negotiating partners, that the Soviet Union must receive at least one ice-free port at the expense of Germany. The Russians have suffered so much and shed so much blood that they want to get part of German territory. He spoke about this at the Tehran Conference, and then neither Roosevelt nor Churchill had it. no objections.

But Churchill, who accepted Stalin’s demand without much irritation a year and a half ago, now, in Potsdam, supplemented the Russian demand with a legal clause. He said that all these issues are really a matter of final peace settlement. The British government would support the Soviet desire to incorporate this German port into the Soviet Union. And then he continued, almost with insulting disbelief: “We did not check the passage of the Soviet border line on the map. This could happen at the peace conference.” At the ninth plenary session of the Potsdam Conference, on July 25, finally, after days of negotiations on borders and reparations, the conversation turned to people. Winston Churchill stated that the issue of resettlement should be considered at the Potsdam Conference. Large numbers of Germans will be expelled from Czechoslovakia. It is necessary to determine where they should go. As far as he knows, there are two and a half million such Germans in the Sudetenland. The British Prime Minister asked Stalin if they would all be moved to the Soviet zone.

In his memoirs, Churchill wrote how he would act if he returned to the table of the Potsdam Conference: “Until July 25, I simply postponed differences that could not be resolved either by us at the round table or by our foreign ministers during daily meetings. As a result an impressive stack of documents had accumulated on the shelves on which no agreements had been reached. But still, after a favorable outcome for me in the elections - as everyone expected - to play out this whole pile of unfinished business in a tough battle with the Soviet government. For example, neither did I. , nor Eden would have accepted the Western Neisse as a border. As compensation for Poland's withdrawal from the "Curzon Line", we would have recognized the movement of the western Polish border to the Oder and Eastern Neisse. But the government led by me would never have announced its consent to move the border. to Western Neisse only because Russian troops occupied the territory before and beyond it. This was not only a matter of principle, but rather a practical matter of great importance, since it involved the extermination of an additional three million people. There were many other points on which it was necessary to invite the Soviet government to stop, and there were no less of them for the Poles, who were diligently busy cutting off a huge piece from Germany, clearly becoming obedient puppets of Moscow."

At the 11th plenary session of the conference, which brought together President Truman, Prime Minister Atlee, Generalissimo Stalin and their foreign ministers on July 31, the British, three days earlier still determined in no case to recognize the West Neisse as the western Polish border , offered only weak resistance. The fate of the German lands in the east was decided. Stalin completely broke the Allied resistance. The newcomers from the West have not reached the level of the titan from the East. Joseph Stalin returned to Moscow with the knowledge that, after his triumph over Germany, he had won another victory at the negotiating table over his allies. But Western politicians soon recognized the need to constantly explain that the Potsdam meeting was not a peace conference empowered to make decisions about Germany and new borders in Europe, that a final settlement had not been determined there.

Within a week of returning to Washington, US President Harry S. Truman addressed the American people on the radio. He said: “The Polish government agreed with us that it was impossible to finally establish borders in Berlin, this would only be done at the time of the conclusion of the peace treaty. However, a significant part of the Soviet occupation zone of Germany was transferred to the Polish administration at the Berlin Conference before the final conclusion of the peace agreement Almost every international agreement is of a compromise nature, and the Poland Agreement is no exception. ". To prevent Poland and the Soviet Union from being given any opportunity to claim that the border had been approved, or to make a promise that a certain border would be approved, the Berlin Protocol clearly stated: “The heads of the three states again reaffirm the view that the final approval of the Polish western border should be postponed until peaceful settlement." In the face of these events, it is difficult to recognize the existence of good will in anyone who claims that the western border of Poland was determined at the conference or that a promise was made to approve its passage in the future."

Immediately after the Potsdam Conference, the position of the Germans in the east did not improve at all. The conditions under which they were forced to leave their homeland remained as terrible as before the Potsdam Conference. Everything continued to be ruled by violence and hatred. Thousands of those who should not have died died. The Western powers turned out to be powerless in front of the mechanism that breeds hunger and poverty, which the Poles and Czechs launched in the fall and winter of 1945. The only one who could prevent evil was Joseph Stalin. But he didn't want to.

These two sources tell us how the conference of the three heads of the coalition took place, the decisions made and the consequences, but its results could only be publicly announced some time later, after the fall of the once great and powerful power.

Conclusion.

During the Second World War, the heads of the Allied powers met three times: in Tehran (November 28 - December 1, 1943), in Yalta (February 4-11, 1945) and in Potsdam (July 17 to August 2, 1945). And each time, the decisions made at their meetings were of a fateful nature and had far-reaching consequences, which we openly learn about only after a while.

Tehran opened the Second Front, Yalta became the beginning of the redivision of the world, which lasted until the 90s of the 20th century, and Potsdam put an end to the fight against fascism and finally consolidated the disposition of forces on the political map of the world.

And yet, at the end of the Second World War, the world was already on the threshold of the next one - a cold one, because none of the superpowers wanted to share influence with the other. The result of these meetings was a bipolar picture of the world. However, if the 3 Lions had not compromised during the negotiations, it is quite possible that Nazi Germany would have gained the upper hand in the war.

Literature:

1. "History of the Second World War", M., "Military Publishing House", 1977.

2. Tehran - Yalta - Potsdam. Collection of documents. Ed. 3rd. M., 1971;

3. V.P. Smirnov "A Brief History of the Second World War", M., ed. Whole World, 2009

4 V. Falin. Second front. Anti-Hitler coalition: conflict of interests. M., 2000

5. “The Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.” Encyclopedia, M., 1985.

6. J.F.S. Fuller. “The Second World War 1939-45”, Foreign Literature Publishing House, M., 1996.

7. History of the opening of the Second Front /004883-5.html

8. "Free Encyclopedia"

9. History of the foreign policy of the USSR. Ed. 3rd. T. 1. 1917-1945. M., 1976;

10. History of diplomacy. Ed. 2nd. T. 4. M., 1975;

11. Voshchenkov K.P. USSR in the struggle for peace. Intl. conf. 1944 - 1974. M., 1975;

12.Vysotsky V.N. Event "Terminal". Potsdam. 1945. M., 1975.

13. Proceedings of the Potsdam Conference

14. Berlin (Potsdam) conference of the leaders of the three allied powers - the USSR, USA and Great Britain (July 17-August 2, 1945) M., 1984.T.6.

15. Yalta-45. Outlines of a new world. Ed. N. Narochnitskaya - M.: Veche, 2010 ISBN 978-5-9533-4615-3

i Normandy Operation, or Operation Overlord- the Allied strategic landing of troops in France, which began in the early morning of June 6, 1944 and ended on August 31, 1944, after which the Allies crossed the Seine River, liberated Paris and continued their advance towards the French-German border. The operation opened the Western Front in Europe in World War II. Still the largest amphibious operation in history, it involved more than 3 million people who crossed the English Channel from England to Normandy.

The governments of England and France stated after returning from Munich conferences ...

History of Russia from ancient times to the present day textbook

Textbook

Chapters 1- 17 ). N.G. and... which was ally ... countries, victims in years second world wars. For participation in conferences ... managers countries, exposing the cult of I.V. Stalin led to a decline in the authority of the USSR and the Communist Party international ...

Vladislav Zubok failed empire Soviet Union in the Cold War from Stalin to Gorbachev Moscow 2011

Document

... 17 ). Many years later front-line soldiers, veterans of the Great Patriotic War wars...territories countries-allies- Great Britain, ... Second world wars. Soviet managers ... international conferences and symposia. On the influence of its allies and countries ...

Yakov Verkhovsky Valentina Tyrmos Stalin Secret “Scenario” of the beginning of the war Abstract

Document

... , country, which gave him, an emigrant, shelter. Switzerland, left temporarily “neutral” by Hitler, is all years Second world wars... special international conference on the problems of Jewish refugees. 32 people took part in its work countries ...

Send your good work in the knowledge base is simple. Use the form below

Students, graduate students, young scientists who use the knowledge base in their studies and work will be very grateful to you.

Posted on http://www.allbest.ru/

Tehran Conference

Yalta conference reparation border

The Tehran Conference is the first conference of the “Big Three” during the Second World War - the leaders of three countries: F. D. Roosevelt (USA), W. Churchill (Great Britain) and J. V. Stalin (USSR), held in Tehran on 28 November -- December 1, 1943.

Preparation

In addition to Tehran, options were considered for holding a conference in Cairo (at Churchill’s suggestion, where earlier and later inter-allied conferences with the participation of Chiang Kai-shek and Ismet İnönü were held), Istanbul or Baghdad. As was his custom, Stalin refused to fly anywhere by plane. He left for the conference on November 22, 1943. His letter train No. 501 proceeded through Stalingrad and Baku. Stalin was traveling in an armored spring twelve-wheeler carriage.

In the memoirs of Air Marshal A. Golovanov there is mention of Stalin’s flight and all the Soviet representatives of this conference, prepared by him personally. Two planes were flying. Golovanov personally controlled the second. The first, piloted by Viktor Grachev, carried Stalin, Molotov and Voroshilov.

Conference goals

The conference was called upon to develop a final strategy for the fight against Germany and its allies.

The conference became an important stage in the development of international and inter-allied relations; a number of issues of war and peace were considered and resolved at it:

· an exact date was set for the Allies to open a second front in France (and the “Balkan strategy” proposed by Great Britain was rejected),

· issues of granting independence to Iran were discussed (“Declaration on Iran”)

· the beginning of the solution to the Polish question was laid

· about the USSR's start of war with Japan after the defeat of Nazi Germany.

· the contours of the post-war world order were outlined

· unity of views has been achieved on issues of ensuring international security and lasting peace

Opening of the “second front”

The main issue was the opening of a second front in Western Europe.

After much debate, the Overlord issue came to a standstill. Then Stalin rose from his chair and, turning to Voroshilov and Molotov, said with irritation: “We have too much to do at home to waste time here. Nothing worthwhile, as I see it, is working out.” The critical moment has arrived. Churchill understood this and, fearing that the conference might be disrupted, made a compromise.

Polish question

W. Churchill's proposal was accepted that Poland's claims to the lands of Western Belarus and Western Ukraine would be satisfied at the expense of Germany, and the Curzon line should be the border in the east. On November 30, a gala reception was held at the British Embassy to mark Churchill's birthday.

Post-war world structure

· de facto, the right was assigned to the Soviet Union to annex part of East Prussia as an indemnity after the victory

· on the question of the incorporation of the Baltic republics into the Soviet Union there should be a plebiscite at the appropriate time, but not under any form of international control

· also, F. Roosevelt proposed dividing Germany into 5 states.

During J.V. Stalin’s conversation with F. Roosevelt on December 1, Roosevelt believed that world public opinion would consider it desirable that someday in the future the opinion of the peoples of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia would be expressed on the issue of the inclusion of the Baltic republics in the Soviet Union. Stalin noted that this did not mean that the plebiscite in these republics should take place under any form of international control. According to Russian historian Zolotarev, at the Tehran Conference in 1943, the United States and Great Britain actually approved the entry of the Baltic states into the USSR. Estonian historian Mälksoo notes that the United States and Great Britain never officially recognized this entry. As M. Yu. Myagkov writes:

As for the further American position regarding the entry of the Baltic states into the USSR, Washington did not officially recognize this accomplished fact, although it did not openly oppose it.

Issues of ensuring security in the world after the war

US President Roosevelt outlined at the conference the American point of view regarding the creation in the future of an international security organization, which he had already spoken about in general terms to the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the USSR V.M. Molotov during his stay in Washington in the summer of 1942 and which was the subject of discussion between Roosevelt and British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden in March 1943.

According to the scheme outlined by the president in a conversation with Stalin on November 29, 1943, after the end of the war it was proposed to create a world organization on the principles of the United Nations, and its activities did not include military issues, that is, it should not be similar to the League of Nations. The structure of the organization, according to Roosevelt, should have included three bodies:

· a general body consisting of all (35 or 50) members of the United Nations, which will only make recommendations and will meet in different places where each country can express its opinion.

· an executive committee consisting of the USSR, USA, Great Britain, China, two European countries, one Latin American country, one Middle Eastern country and one of the British dominions; The committee will deal with non-military issues.

· a police committee consisting of the USSR, USA, Great Britain and China, which will monitor the preservation of peace in order to prevent new aggression from Germany and Japan.

Stalin called the scheme outlined by Roosevelt good, but expressed his fear that small European states might be dissatisfied with such an organization, and therefore expressed the opinion that it might be better to create two organizations (one for Europe, the other for the Far East or world ). Roosevelt pointed out that Stalin's point of view partially coincides with the opinion of Churchill, who proposes to create three organizations - European, Far Eastern and American. However, Roosevelt noted that the United States could not be a member of the European organization and that only a shock comparable to the current war could force the Americans to send their troops overseas.

On December 1, 1943, Stalin, in a conversation with Roosevelt, said that he had thought about the issue and believed that it was better to create one world organization, but at this conference no special decision was made on the creation of an international organization.

Assassination attempt on the leaders of the Big Three

For security reasons in the Iranian capital, the US President did not stay at his own embassy, ​​but at the Soviet one, which was located opposite the British one (the American embassy was located much further, on the outskirts of the city in a dubious area). A tarpaulin corridor was created between the embassies so that the movements of the leaders were not visible from the outside. The diplomatic complex thus created was surrounded by three rings of infantry and tanks. For three days of the conference, the city was completely blocked by troops and special services. In Tehran, all media activities were suspended, telephone, telegraph and radio communications were turned off. Even the families of Soviet diplomats were temporarily “evacuated” from the area of ​​the upcoming negotiations.

The leadership of the Third Reich instructed the Abwehr to organize an assassination attempt on the leaders of the USSR, USA and Great Britain in Tehran. The secret operation, codenamed “Long Jump,” was developed by the famous Nazi saboteur No. 1, head of the SS secret service in the VI department of the Main Directorate of Reich Security, Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny, who since 1943 was a special agent for Hitler’s special assignments (he was called “the man with the scar”) ", at one time he rescued Mussolini from captivity, carried out a number of high-profile operations, such as the assassination of Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss in 1934 and the arrest in 1938 of Austrian President Miklas and Chancellor Schuschnigg, followed by the Wehrmacht invasion and occupation of Austria). Later, in 1966, Otto Skorzeny confirmed that he had orders to kill Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt or steal them in Tehran, entering the British Embassy from the direction of the Armenian cemetery from which the spring began.

On the Soviet side, a group of professional intelligence officers took part in uncovering the assassination attempt on the leaders of the Big Three. Information about the impending terrorist attack was reported to Moscow from the Volyn forests by intelligence officer Nikolai Kuznetsov, and in the spring of 1943, a radiogram came from the center saying that the Germans were planning to carry out sabotage in Tehran during a conference with the participation of the leaders of the USSR, the USA and Great Britain, with the aim of sabotage is the physical removal of conference participants. All members of the group of Soviet intelligence officers led by Gevork Vartanyan were mobilized to prevent a terrorist attack.

At the end of the summer of 1943, the Germans dropped a team of six radio operators into the area of ​​Lake Qom near the city of Qom (70 km from Tehran). After 10 days they were already near Tehran, where they boarded a truck and reached the city. From a villa prepared specially for this by local agents, a group of radio operators established radio contact with Berlin in order to prepare a springboard for the landing of saboteurs led by Otto Skorzeny. However, these ambitious plans were not destined to come true - Vartanyan’s agents, together with the British from MI6, took direction finding and deciphered all their messages. Soon, after a long search for the radio transmitter, the entire group was captured and forced to work with Berlin “under the hood.” At the same time, in order to prevent the landing of the second group, during the interception of which losses on both sides could not be avoided, they were given the opportunity to convey that they had been exposed. Upon learning of the failure, Berlin abandoned its plans.

A few days before the conference, arrests were made in Tehran, resulting in the arrest of more than 400 German agents. The last to be taken was Franz Mayer, who had gone deep underground: he was found in an Armenian cemetery, where he, having dyed his beard and grown it, worked as a gravedigger. Of the large number of agents discovered, some were arrested, and most were converted. Some were handed over to the British, others were deported to the Soviet Union.

Yalta (Crimean) Conference

Yalta (Crimean) Conference of the Allied Powers (February 4-11, 1945) - the second multilateral meeting of the leaders of the three countries of the anti-Hitler coalition - the USSR, the USA and Great Britain - during the Second World War, dedicated to the establishment of the post-war world order. The conference took place at the Livadia (White) Palace in Yalta, Crimea, and became the last conference of the leaders of the “Big Three” anti-Hitler coalition in the pre-nuclear era.

In 1943, at the Tehran Conference, Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill discussed mainly the problem of achieving victory over the Third Reich; at the Potsdam Conference in July-August 1945, the allies resolved issues of peaceful settlement and division of Germany, and in Yalta, major decisions were made on the future division peace between the victorious countries.

By that time, victory over Germany was only a matter of time and the war had entered its final stage. The fate of Japan was also not in much doubt, since the United States already controlled almost the entire Pacific Ocean. The Allies understood that they had a unique chance to manage the history of Europe in their own way, since for the first time in history, almost all of Europe was in the hands of just three states.

Solutions

All decisions of Yalta, in general, related to two problems.

Firstly, it was necessary to draw new state borders on the territory recently occupied by the Third Reich. At the same time, it was necessary to establish unofficial, but generally recognized by all parties, demarcation lines between the spheres of influence of the allies - a task that was started at the Tehran Conference.

Secondly, the allies realized that after the disappearance of the common enemy, the forced unification of the West and the USSR would lose any meaning, and therefore it was necessary to create procedures to guarantee the immutability of the dividing lines drawn on the world map.

Redistribution of borders

On this issue, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin, having made mutual concessions, came to an agreement on almost all points. As a result, the configuration of the political map of the world has undergone significant territorial changes.

Poland

The “Polish question” at the conference was one of the most complex and controversial. 10,000 words were spent discussing it - this is 24% of all words spoken in Yalta. But the results of such a discussion turned out to be unsatisfactory. This is due to the following aspects of the Polish problem.

Poland, which before the war was the largest country in Central Europe, sharply shrank and moved to the west and north. Until 1939, its eastern border was practically under Kiev and Minsk, and besides, the Poles owned the Vilna region, which now became part of Lithuania. The western border with Germany was located east of the Oder, while most of the Baltic coast also belonged to Germany. In the east of the pre-war historical territory of Poland, the Poles were a national minority among Ukrainians and Belarusians, while part of the territories in the west and north inhabited by Poles was under German jurisdiction.

The USSR received the western border with Poland along the “Curzon Line”, established back in 1920, with a deviation from it in some areas of 5 to 8 km in favor of Poland. In fact, the border returned to the position at the time of the division of Poland between Germany and the USSR in 1939 under the Treaty of Friendship and Border between the USSR and Germany, the main difference from which was the transfer of the Bialystok region to Poland.

Although Poland by the beginning of February 1945, as a result of the Soviet offensive, was already under the rule of a provisional government in Warsaw, recognized by the governments of the USSR and Czechoslovakia (Edward Benes), there was a Polish government in exile in London (Prime Minister Tomasz Archiszewski), which did not recognize the decision The Tehran Conference was on the Curzon line and therefore could not, in the opinion of the USSR, USA and Great Britain, lay claim to power in the country after the end of the war. The instructions of the government in exile for the Home Army, developed on October 1, 1943, contained the following instructions in the event of an unauthorized entry by the Polish government of Soviet troops into the pre-war territory of Poland: “ The Polish government sends a protest to the United Nations against the violation of Polish sovereignty --due to the entry of the Soviets into Polish territory without the consent of the Polish government --while simultaneously declaring that the country will not interact with the Soviets. The government simultaneously warns that in the event of the arrest of representatives of the underground movement and any reprisals against Polish citizens, the underground organizations will switch to self-defense.”

The allies in Crimea realized that " A new situation was created in Poland as a result of its complete liberation by the Red Army" Stalin in Crimea managed to obtain from the allies consent to the creation of a new government in Poland itself - the “Provisional Government of National Unity”, on the basis of the Provisional Government of the Polish Republic “with the inclusion of democratic figures from Poland itself and Poles from abroad.” This decision, implemented in the presence of Soviet troops, allowed the USSR to subsequently form a political regime in Warsaw that suited it, as a result of which clashes between pro-Western and pro-communist formations in this country were resolved in favor of the latter.

Germany

A fundamental decision was made on the occupation and division of Germany into occupation zones and on the allocation of its own zone to France (March 1945).

A specific settlement of the issue regarding the zones of occupation of Germany was reached even before the Crimean conference and was recorded in “Protocol of the Agreement between the governments of the USSR, the USA and the United Kingdom on the zones of occupation of Germany and on the administration of "Greater Berlin" dated September 12, 1944.

This decision predetermined the split of the country for many decades. On May 23, 1949, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany, previously signed by representatives of the three Western powers, was put into effect. On September 7, 1949, the first session of the West German parliament proclaimed the creation of a new state (except for Alsace and Lorraine, which became part of France). In response, on October 7, 1949, the German Democratic Republic was formed on the territory of the Soviet occupation zone. There was also talk about the separation of East Prussia (later, after Potsdam, the current Kaliningrad region was created on 1/3 of this territory).

The participants of the Yalta Conference stated that their adamant goal was to destroy German militarism and Nazism and create guarantees that "Germany will never again be able to disturb the peace", “disarm and disband all German armed forces and destroy the German General Staff forever,” “seize or destroy all German military equipment, liquidate or take control of all German industry that could be used for war production; to subject all war criminals to fair and speedy punishment; wipe out the Nazi Party, Nazi laws, organizations and institutions from the face of the earth; eliminate all Nazi and militaristic influence from public institutions, from the cultural and economic life of the German people." At the same time, the conference communiqué emphasized that after the eradication of Nazism and militarism, the German people will be able to take their rightful place in the community of nations.

Balkans

The eternal Balkan issue was also discussed - in particular, the situation in Yugoslavia and Greece. It is believed that back in October 1944, Stalin allowed Great Britain to decide the fate of the Greeks (see interest agreement), as a result of which later clashes between communist and pro-Western formations in this country were decided in favor of the latter. On the other hand, it was actually recognized that power in Yugoslavia would be given to the NOLA of Josip Broz Tito, who was recommended to take “democrats” into the government.

Declaration of a Liberated Europe

The Declaration of a Liberated Europe was also signed in Yalta, which determined the principles of the policy of the victors in the territories conquered from the enemy. It assumed, in particular, the restoration of the sovereign rights of the peoples of these territories, as well as the right of the allies to jointly “help” these peoples “improve conditions” for the exercise of these same rights. The declaration stated: “The establishment of order in Europe and the reconstruction of national economic life must be achieved in such a way as will enable the liberated peoples to destroy the last traces of Nazism and fascism and to create democratic institutions of their own choice.”

The idea of ​​joint assistance never became a reality: each victorious power had power only in those territories where its troops were stationed. As a result, each of the former allies in the war began to diligently support their own ideological allies after it ended. Within a few years, Europe was divided into the socialist camp and Western Europe, where Washington, London and Paris tried to resist communist sentiments.

Reparations

Once again the issue of reparations was raised. However, the Allies were never able to finally determine the amount of compensation. It was only decided that the United States and Great Britain would give Moscow 50 percent of all reparations.

Far East

Agreement on the entry of the USSR into the war against Japan

The fate of the Far East was fundamentally decided by a separate document. In exchange for entering the war with Japan, 2-3 months after the end of the war in Europe, the USSR received the Kuril Islands and South Sakhalin, lost in the Russian-Japanese War; Mongolia was recognized as an independent state. The Soviet side was also promised to lease Port Arthur and the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER).

UN

In Yalta, the implementation of the idea of ​​a new League of Nations began. The Allies needed an interstate organization capable of preventing attempts to change the established boundaries of their spheres of influence. It was at the conferences of the victors in Tehran and Yalta and at the intermediate negotiations at Dumbarton Oaks that the ideology of the United Nations was formed.

It was agreed that the UN's activities in resolving fundamental issues of ensuring peace would be based on the principle of unanimity of the great powers - permanent members of the Security Council with the right of veto.

Stalin obtained the consent of his partners to include not only the USSR among the founders and members of the UN, but also the Ukrainian SSR and the Byelorussian SSR, which suffered the most from the war. And it was in the Yalta documents that the date “April 25, 1945” appeared - the date of the beginning of the San Francisco Conference, which was intended to develop the UN Charter.

The UN became a symbol and formal guarantor of the post-war world order, an authoritative and sometimes even quite effective organization in resolving interstate problems. At the same time, the victorious countries continued to prefer to resolve truly serious issues in their relations through bilateral negotiations, rather than within the UN framework. The UN also failed to prevent the wars that both the United States and the Soviet Union fought in subsequent decades.

Heritage of Yalta

The Yalta Conference of the leaders of the USA, USSR and Great Britain was of great historical significance. It was one of the largest international meetings of wartime, an important milestone in the cooperation of the powers of the anti-Hitler coalition in waging war against a common enemy. The adoption of agreed decisions at the conference again showed the possibility of cooperation between states with different social systems. This was one of the last conferences of the pre-atomic era.

The bipolar world created in Yalta and the division of Europe into East And west survived for more than 40 years, until the end of the 1980s.

The Yalta system began to collapse at the turn of the 1980-1990s with the collapse of the USSR, and finally ceased to exist after September 11, 2001. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe survived the disappearance of previous demarcation lines and were able to integrate into the new map of Europe. Separate mechanisms of the Yalta-Potsdam system are still functioning: this is the UN, maintaining the generally unchanged borders in Europe (with the exception of the countries of the Balkan Peninsula) and in the Far East (the borders between the USSR and Japan, the independence of the DPRK and the Republic of Korea, the territorial integrity of the PRC.

Currently, the Yalta-Potsdam peace system is a field of active ideological clashes. Having ceased to exist in the form of state institutions and having lost the legal framework, the Yalta Agreements retain their status as “political bombs” and journalistic sensations.

Agreement on Displaced Persons

During the conference, another agreement was concluded, which was very important for the Soviet side, namely an agreement on the repatriation of military and civilians, that is, displaced persons - persons liberated (captured) in territories captured by the Allies.

Subsequently, fulfilling this agreement, the British handed over to the Soviet side not only Soviet citizens, but also emigrants who had never had Soviet citizenship. This included the forcible extradition of the Cossacks.

According to some estimates, this agreement affected more than 2,500,000 people.

· The conference participants were located in three palaces:

· The USSR delegation headed by I.V. Stalin in the Yusupov Palace;

· The US delegation led by F. D. Roosevelt in the Livadia Palace;

· The British delegation led by W. Churchill in the Vorontsov Palace.

· Admission to press representatives was strictly limited and the list of journalists was agreed upon in advance by the conference participants.

Potsdam Conference

Potsdam Conference took place in Potsdam at the Cecilienhof Palace from July 17 to August 2, 1945 with the participation of the leadership of the three largest powers of the anti-Hitler coalition in World War II in order to determine further steps for the post-war structure of Europe. The meeting in Potsdam was the last for the leaders of the Big Three, Stalin, Truman and Churchill (who was replaced in recent days by K. Attlee).

Story

This was the third and last meeting of the “Big Three” of the anti-Hitler coalition. The first two took place at the end of 1943 in Tehran (Iran) and at the beginning of 1945 in Yalta (USSR). The purpose of the conference was to determine the political and economic future of defeated Germany, to resolve post-war problems: the treatment of defeated citizens, the prosecution of war criminals, and reforms of the educational system and the judicial system.

The conference participants were:

· Heads of government of three states - US President Harry Truman (chaired all meetings), Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and Chairman of the State Defense Committee of the USSR I.V. Stalin and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Since the parliamentary elections, in case of a change of power, his competitor, Clement Attlee, was present at the conference along with Churchill).

· Foreign Ministers Burns (USA), Molotov (USSR), Eden (until July 25) / Bevin (from July 28) (Great Britain), as well as their deputies and other representatives of the foreign ministries.

· Representatives of military departments.

The US and British delegations arrived on July 15 and on the eve of the conference, Churchill and Truman visited Berlin separately and inspected its ruins. The USSR delegation led by Stalin arrived in Berlin by train on July 16, where it was met by the commander-in-chief of the group of Soviet occupation forces in Germany, Marshal Zhukov.

On July 17 at 12 o'clock, Stalin and Molotov had a conversation with US President Truman and US Secretary of State Byrnes. An expert consultant of the USSR People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, Golunsky, was present as a translator. During the conversation, Truman told Stalin that “he is glad to meet” Stalin and would like to establish with him “the same friendly relations that Generalissimo Stalin had with President Roosevelt. He, Truman, is confident in the necessity of this, since he believes that the fate of the world is in the hands of three powers. He wants to be a friend of Generalissimo Stalin." Stalin responded that “on the part of the Soviet government there is complete readiness to go along with the United States.”

On July 26, the election results were announced in Great Britain, in which Labor won, and from July 28, Attlee headed the British delegation, while Churchill left the conference.

Accommodation of delegations

36 of the 176 rooms of the Cecilienhof Palace were allocated for the conference. The delegations were housed in villas in the Babelsberg district of Potsdam - the Soviet delegation was housed in a villa that previously belonged to General Ludendorff. The former salon of the Crown Prince served as the working room of the Americans; the former office of the Crown Prince served as the working room of the Soviet delegation.

The Cecilienhof now houses a memorial museum for the Potsdam Conference, which displays much of the furnishings used during the conference.

Solutions

The goals of the occupation of Germany by the Allies were proclaimed to be denazification, demilitarization, democratization, decentralization and decartelization. The goal of preserving German unity was also proclaimed.

By decision of the Potsdam Conference, Germany's eastern borders were moved west to the Oder-Neisse line, which reduced its territory by 25% compared to 1937. The territories east of the new border consisted of East Prussia, Silesia, West Prussia, and two-thirds of Pomerania. These are mainly agricultural areas, with the exception of Upper Silesia, which was the second largest center of German heavy industry. Most of the territories separated from Germany became part of Poland. The Soviet Union, together with the capital Königsberg (which was renamed Kaliningrad the following year), included one third of East Prussia, on whose territory the Königsberg (since March 1946 - Kaliningrad) region of the RSFSR was created.

On July 22-23, Stalin and Molotov presented at the conference the territorial claims of the USSR to Turkey and the demand for a favorable regime for the USSR in the Black Sea straits. These claims were not supported by the British and American sides (although the final minutes of the conference mention a revision of the Montreux Convention taking into account the views of the Turkish side).

Reparation payments were ordered.

At the Potsdam Conference, Stalin confirmed his commitment no later than three months after the surrender of Germany (the date of which Stalin considered only May 8) to declare war on Japan. The USA, Great Britain and China, who are at war with Japan, also signed the Potsdam Declaration (published on July 26), which demanded unconditional surrender from Japan. On August 8 (after the conference), the USSR joined the declaration and declared war on Japan.

According to a preliminary agreement, Korea was divided into Soviet and American zones of occupation, although the Korean issue was not officially raised at the meetings.

A pressing issue discussed during the conference was the problem of dividing the remaining German fleet.

On the final day of the conference, the heads of delegations made fundamental decisions to resolve post-war issues, approved on August 7, 1945 with certain reservations by France, which was not invited to the conference.

In Potsdam, many contradictions between the allies emerged, which soon led to the Cold War.

Atomic weapons

On the eve of the conference, the first nuclear weapons test in the United States took place. On July 24, 1945, in Potsdam, Truman casually informed Stalin that the United States “now has weapons of extraordinary destructive power.” According to Churchill's recollections, Stalin smiled, but did not become interested in the details. From this, Truman and Churchill concluded that Stalin did not understand anything and was not aware of events. Some modern researchers believe that this was a subtle game by Stalin. That same evening, Stalin ordered Molotov to talk with Kurchatov about accelerating work on the atomic project. According to legend, Stalin personally made a call to Kurchatov: “Comrade Kurchatov! I ask you to speed up your work."

· The special train of the USSR delegation was delivered to the Potsdam Conference not by a steam locomotive, but by diesel traction.

· The British delegation arrived by plane, and the US delegation crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the cruiser Quincy to the coast of France, and from there reached Berlin on the US President's Sacred Cow plane.

Posted on Allbest.ru

...

Similar documents

The course of World War II at the end of 1944. Allied countries of the anti-Hitler coalition in the process of preparing the division of spheres of influence in Europe in the post-war years. Meetings of the "Big Three": the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, their consequences after the end of the war.

report, added 11/19/2007


General information about the Second World War 1939-1945. Choosing a venue for the Crimean (Yalta) conference in 1945. The first meeting in the Great Hall of the Livadia Palace. Redistribution of state borders, signing of the Declaration of a Liberated Europe.

course work, added 05/12/2011


The Crimean Conference as one of the most important international meetings of the Second World War, which took place in Yalta at the Livadia Palace from February 4 to 11, 1945. The main decisions taken at the Yalta Conference of the heads of the USSR, USA and Great Britain.

abstract, added 02/25/2011


Features of the positions of key delegates participating in the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. Monetary and financial architecture of the world economy after the end of World War II. The Bretton Woods monetary system as the main result of the conference.

abstract, added 06/20/2010


Military operations in Italian Libya. Algeria during the Second World War. The results of the Casablanca Conference - secret negotiations between US President Roosevelt, the British Prime Minister and members of the US and British Chiefs of Staff.

abstract, added 05/14/2017


The concept and purpose of the anti-Hitler coalition, the history and main prerequisites for its development and legal registration during the Second World War, the participating countries and the directions of their activities. The Tehran Conference and the issues discussed at it.

presentation, added 05/12/2012


The expulsion of Hitler's troops from the territory of the USSR during the Second World War. The problem of opening a second front; Tehran Conference. Liberation mission of the Soviet Army; surrender of Germany. Potsdam Conference: the post-war structure of Europe.

test, added 02/13/2013


Yalta and Potsdam conferences of heads of government of the USSR, USA and Great Britain, creation of a peaceful system: ensuring a nuclear deterrence regime as a guarantee of stability. The collapse of the Yalta-Potsdam system of international relations: causes, results.

course work, added 12/15/2011


The beginning of the Great Patriotic War. The defeat of Nazi troops near Moscow and Stalingrad. Battle of Kursk. Battle of the Dnieper. Tehran Conference. The offensive of the Red Army in 1944 - 1945. The end of the Second World War. Results of the war.

abstract, added 06/08/2004


Positions of powers in the international arena as a result of the First World War. Controversies at the Paris Peace Conference. Features of the Versailles Peace Treaty. The clash of imperialist interests of Great Britain, the USA and Japan in the Far East.

Introduction.

Main part:

1. Moscow conference 1943.

2. Tehran Conference .

3. Crimean Conference of Heads of Government of the USSR, USA and Great Britain .

4. Potsdam Conference .

III . Conclusion.

In the history of World War II, the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam conferences occupy special pages. The powers of the anti-Hitler coalition made decisions at them that subsequently had enormous international significance. The whole world was given a convincing example of the possibility of military and political cooperation between states with different social systems.

Moscow conference .

Even during the conference in Quebec it was said: “At the end of the war, Russia will occupy a dominant position in Europe. After the defeat of Germany, there will not be a single power left in Europe that could resist the enormous military forces of Russia. Since Russia is the decisive factor in the war, every possible assistance must be provided to her and every effort must be made to achieve her friendship.”

The successes of the Soviet army forced the governments of the USA and England to consider the most important international problems together with the government of the USSR. In the second half of 1943, meetings were held between representatives of the USSR, the USA and England, which confirmed the possibility and necessity of international cooperation between states in resolving issues of warfare and the post-war world order.

A conference of USSR foreign ministers took place in Moscow on October 19-30, 1943. USA and England. Government delegations were sent to Moscow: the American one was headed by K. Hull, the British one by A. Eden. Military missions were sent to help them. The Soviet delegation was headed by V.M. Molotov.

At the conference in Moscow, the main attention was paid to the issue of military cooperation between the three great powers. The USSR insisted on reducing the duration of the war against Germany and its satellites. The rulers of the USA and England were unable to put forward any arguments against the Soviet proposals. In addition, the conference recognized the need to develop international cooperation after the war.

Issues about Eastern Europe occupied a large place in the negotiations. On Churchill's instructions, Eden tried to secure the consent of the USSR and the USA to a British invasion of South-Eastern Europe with the participation of Turkey. The USSR stated that the desire to invade was dictated by goals that had nothing to do with the interests of the peoples. The USSR insisted on creating a second front in Western Europe. Representatives of England and the USA sought the consent of the USSR to restore diplomatic relations with the Polish émigré government. These proposals could not meet with the support of the Soviet side and did not produce results.

Tehran Conference.

Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt first met in Tehran at the end of November 1943. They discussed issues of military strategy and post-war structure to achieve peace and stability. The negotiations took place in an atmosphere of sincerity, goodwill and hope for good mutual understanding and cooperation in the years to come.

Anglo-Soviet relations remained very tense after Churchill's last visit to Moscow, when he told Stalin that there would be no second front in 1942. They were aggravated by failures with the supply of weapons by convoy to the northern ports of Russia. The British Navy almost destroyed convoy PQ-17. It was, in Churchill's words, "the saddest episode in the war at sea." In a letter dated July 17, Churchill announced that sending convoys would stop for some time, to which Stalin responded with an angry letter. It was a dignified, sharp protest against the decision of the Allies at a time when the Red Army was in a threatening position at Stalingrad and was in dire need of supplies of raw materials and weapons.

There was still no second front, and Anglo-Soviet relations continued to deteriorate. President Roosevelt's personal representative, Wendell Willkie, said in Moscow that the United States was not against opening a second front in 1942, but Churchill and the British military command created obstacles.

The victory at Stalingrad somewhat softened Stalin's harshness towards the allies. The North African campaign and the bombing of Germany meant an awakening of some activity on their part. However, Stalin still did not miss an opportunity to mention the need to open a second front in France and reproach the allies for inaction.

Rumors that the Germans were seeking approaches to the Allies with a view to concluding a separate peace increased the mistrust and suspicion of the Russians. However, Stalin denied these rumors and the very possibility of separate negotiations, for “it is clear that only the complete destruction of Hitler’s armies and the unconditional surrender of Hitler’s Germany will establish peace in Europe.”

At this time, Stalin dissolved the Comintern, which had always posed a direct threat to the West from militant communism. To Stalin, the opponent of internationalism and the author of socialism in one country, the Comintern was a hindrance and did not contribute to Russian interests at this critical time. The abolition of the Comintern was received with satisfaction and understanding by the Allies.

United Nations.

On November 25, Stalin, accompanied by Molotov, Voroshilov and bodyguards from the NKVD, traveled by train to Stalingrad and Baku, and from there by plane to Tehran. Shtemenko, as a representative of the Headquarters, carried maps of the combat areas. In Tehran, Stalin settled in a villa in the Soviet Embassy. Shtemenko and the cryptographers occupied the room next door, next to the communications center. From here Stalin contacted Vatutin, Rokossovsky and Antonov, continuing to direct operations at the fronts.

The first meeting took place on the afternoon of November 28 at the Soviet Embassy. The British and American delegations consisted of 20-30 people each, while with Stalin there were only Molotov, Voroshilov and translator Pavlov.

Speaking at the conference, Stalin spoke balancedly, calmly, and expressed his thoughts very clearly and concisely. What irritated him most were the long and vague speeches that Churchill often made.

At the conference, Stalin showed interest in the immediate military plans of the Allies, especially regarding the second front. He also thought and spoke a lot about the post-war structure of Europe, the future of Poland and Germany, and the establishment and maintenance of peace.

Churchill and Roosevelt talked about military operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, about Turkey's involvement in the war, about sending Anglo-American ships to the Black Sea. Stalin again returned to the issue of the Allied landing in France. It would be a mistake to scatter forces on operations in the Mediterranean. All efforts must be concentrated on opening a second front (Operation Overlord). Churchill, always fascinated by the many options in plans, countered this with the possibility of operations in the Balkans. Stalin's patience ran out. Towards the end of the meeting on November 29, Stalin, looking into Churchill’s eyes, said:

“I want to ask the Prime Minister a very direct question regarding Operation Overlord.” Do the Prime Minister and the British delegation really believe in this operation?

“If the above conditions for this operation are created by the time it matures, we will consider it our direct duty to transfer across the English Channel all the forces we have available against the Germans,” Churchill replied.

It was a typical response from an experienced diplomat, full of reservations and rhetoric. Stalin wanted to hear a simple “yes,” but refrained from commenting. Churchill later said that he fully supported the Allied landing plan in France, but did not agree with the American plan for landing in the Bay of Bengal against the Japanese. Stalin again emphasized the importance of the landing in northern France and said that this operation would be supported by a powerful Russian offensive.

To Stalin's delight, the opening of the second front was scheduled for May.

At the next meeting, discussions centered around Poland. Stalin intended to strengthen his western borders by any means. It was necessary to solve the problem of Poland, which had been hostile to Russia for more than three hundred years. He was also worried about the hostility of the Polish government in London. Stalin understood that the centuries-old hostility between the two nations could not disappear instantly, but he also could not allow an unfriendly Poland, led by anti-Russian leaders Sikorski and Anders, to revive on the Russian border. The Union of Polish Patriots was formed in Russia.

At the Tehran Conference, Stalin openly outlined his vision of resolving the Polish question after the war. Churchill and Eden agreed that the border should run along the Oder, and Lvov should become part of the Soviet Union.

Crimean conference of heads of government of the USSR, USA and Great Britain.

The proposal for a summit meeting to discuss the problems that arose in the final stage of the war was made by Roosevelt in a message to Stalin on July 19, 1944.
In 1944, secret contacts between senior German officials and representatives of the intelligence services of England and the United States greatly intensified, with the goal of counteracting the strengthening of American-Soviet relations and facilitating the conclusion of a separate deal. The assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944 and secret information about the democratic beliefs of a number of its participants (and, above all, Colonel von Stauffenberg) increased the interest of US military leaders in establishing contacts with Wehrmacht generals opposed to Hitler, who were inclined towards a separate peace with the Western allies on the terms of a break with The Soviet Union and preventing the "Bolshevization of Europe".

British diplomacy had a significant influence on the activation of forces opposing the strengthening of Soviet-American relations.
The pressure on the White House from the right wing of Congress and the conservative press, which invariably viewed the Soviet Union as a potential enemy, increased noticeably. As the November 1944 elections approached, the campaign for a revision of foreign policy gained momentum. Therefore, in a telegram to Stalin, Roosevelt spoke in favor of an early summit meeting. It was important to consolidate in the US foreign policy the positive changes in relations with the USSR, achieved since their restoration in 1933 and developed during the war.

Potsdam Conference

The meeting in Berlin was of utmost political importance for the fate of post-war Europe and the cause of peace. It was the final series of conferences of the leaders of the USSR, USA and Great Britain, allied member states of the anti-Hitler coalition. It should be noted that even at the initial stage of the war, the Allies paid great attention to issues of post-war reconstruction.

A peaceful settlement in Europe after the Second World War is the problem of the future of Germany, the conclusion of peace treaties with its former allies with the solution of relevant political issues, the creation of the United Nations, designed to serve the goals of maintaining peace and ensuring international security.

In their approach to a settlement in Europe, the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition sought to prevent a repetition of aggression on the part of Germany, to establish peace and security on the European continent, to achieve the determination of fair post-war borders, returning independence and sovereignty to the countries and peoples enslaved by Nazi Germany, to ensure the peoples of Europe the right to determine for themselves your future.

However, as further developments of events showed, the Soviet leadership and the leaders of Western countries put completely opposite content into this.

Unlike previous conferences, the Berlin conference took place after the end of the war in Europe, when relations between the powers became more complex. And the resolution of a number of issues reached a dead end, but a decision had to be made about the fate of not only Germany, but Europe and the world.

The Three Great Powers had to resolve the issues of restructuring the political life of the Germans on a democratic, peace-loving basis, disarm Germany and force it to compensate for the material damage caused to other countries, and punish Nazi criminals who brought untold disasters and suffering to humanity.

The issues of a peaceful settlement with Germany's allied countries - Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Finland, the restoration of state independence of Austria, assistance in the revival and development of the allied countries - Poland and Yugoslavia - could not be ignored.

On May 25, 1945, G. Hopkins arrived in Moscow and, on behalf of US President Truman, raised the issue of “a meeting of three” with the Soviet government. From the correspondence:

I.V. Stalin wrote to W. Churchill: “I think that a meeting is necessary and that it would be most convenient to arrange this meeting in the vicinity of Berlin. This would probably be correct politically.” Churchill agreed and on July 17, 1945, a conference of the leaders of the three powers began its work at the Cecilienhof Palace in the Berlin suburb of Potsdam.

The delegations were headed by G. Truman, W. Churchill, I.V. Stalin. With Churchill, the leader of the Labor Party, K. Attlee, arrived at the conference, whom the English Prime Minister invited for the purpose of “continuity” in case of defeat in the elections, which happened and K. Attlee, who became the Prime Minister, headed the English delegation.

The Potsdam Conference considered issues related to the peaceful post-war system in Europe, including the question of the procedure for signing peace treaties with former enemy states. It was decided to establish a Council of Foreign Ministers (CMFA) "to carry out the necessary preparatory work for a peaceful settlement" and to discuss other issues which, by agreement between the governments participating in the Council, could be referred to the Council from time to time.

The foreign ministers of England, the USSR, the USA, France and China joined the Security Council. The main task of the Council was to draw up peace treaties for Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland. In addition, the Council was entrusted with the task of preparing a “peaceful settlement for Germany.”

The German question occupied the main place in the work of the conference.

Political and economic principles acceptable in the treatment of Germany were discussed at the conference. The project was presented by the American delegation. During the Potsdam Conference, an Agreement on Additional Demands on Germany was prepared, facilitating the agreement on political and economic principles for dealing with Germany during the initial - control period.

The governments participating in the Potsdam Conference agreed that the basic principles regarding Germany should provide for the implementation of the most important measures for the demilitarization, democratization and denazification of Germany.

The decisions of the conference emphasized that “in the occupation Germany must be considered as a single whole”, that “all democratic and political parties must be allowed and encouraged throughout Germany.”

The Allies declared that they “do not intend to destroy” the German people, that they “intend to give the German people the opportunity to prepare themselves to subsequently reconstruct their lives on a democratic and peaceful basis.”

It was decided to punish Nazi criminals by bringing them before the International Tribunal. Germany was obliged to pay reparations and was divided into four occupation zones - Soviet, American, British and French.

The decisions of the Allied powers on territorial issues were of great importance for the post-war development of Europe. The Nazis redrew the map of the continent. It was necessary to restore the violated injustice.

Of course, coordinating the positions of the three powers on issues of the post-war world could not but encounter certain difficulties. However, despite the contradictions, differences, and different approaches to the problems being solved, the allies found a common language, seeing extensive correspondence among themselves, organizing meetings of foreign ministers, personal representatives of heads of state, through diplomatic channels. The most important place in this process was occupied by personal meetings of the leaders of the three allied powers.

But for the sake of fairness, even today it is advisable not to forget about the causes of the contradictions between the USSR and the Western allies during the war. The Cold War is a hard lesson for humanity.

On August 1, 1945, the Potsdam Conference ended with the signing of the “Protocol and Report on the Potsdam Conference” by the leaders of the USSR, USA, and England of the three powers.

In early August 1945, the main agreements adopted in Potsdam were sent to France with an offer to join. The French government agreed in principle. The Potsdam decisions were approved and supported by other states of the world.

The democratic principles developed in Potsdam for promoting peace and security in Europe and the world have received universal recognition, namely:

The main condition for security in Europe is the prevention of the revival of German militarism and Nazism;

Interstate relations should be built on the principles of sovereignty, national independence, equality and non-interference in internal affairs.

The Potsdam decisions were a convincing expression of cooperation between the great powers, which should guarantee the peace, security and cooperation of peoples throughout the world after military battles have died down.

Despite all the difficulties in the conference, it ended with a triumph of realism.

But already before the start of the conference, on July 16, 1945, the first test of an atomic bomb was carried out. After the American delegation received this message, Truman said: “We now possess a weapon that not only revolutionizes warfare, but can change the course of history and civilization.” Under the strictest secrecy, this was reported to Churchill, who was indescribably delighted: “Now the West has a means that has restored the balance of power with Russia,” and began to push the American delegation to take a tougher position, using information about atomic bomb tests “as an argument.” to your advantage in negotiations.”

According to American sources and Churchill's memoirs, Truman, informing the Soviet delegation about the testing of new weapons, did not even mention the words “atomic” or “nuclear.” Stalin listened calmly to the message, which disappointed both Churchill and Truman.

Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K., who was present at the meeting. Zhukov recalls: “having returned from the meeting, Stalin, in my presence, told Molotov about the conversation that had taken place.” Molotov said: “They are selling themselves a price.” Stalin laughed: “Let them stuff them.” We will need to talk with Kurchatov about speeding up our work.” “I understood,” Zhukov wrote, that they were talking about an atomic bomb.”

Thus, the Potsdam Conference became the first High-level conference at which, in fact, the debut of nuclear weapons took place as a political factor in international relations. The era of nuclear diplomacy has begun and this should not be forgotten, because it will continue today, but with the use of new, more sophisticated technologies.

a) Tehran Conference.

Only in November - December 1943, in Tehran, the capital of Iran, an international conference of the three allied powers took place: the USSR (J.V. Stalin), the USA (F.D. Roosevelt), Great Britain (W. Churchill). Only here the allies agreed to open a second front in Europe. The Allies promised in May 1944 to begin military operations against Germany in Normandy, a province of France. In addition, the allies discussed the creation of the United Nations after the war and the post-war world order. At the request of the allies, the USSR promised to enter the war with Japan after the end of the war in Europe.

b) Yalta (Crimean) conference.

After Soviet troops completely liberated the territory of the USSR and the liberation of Europe from fascist troops began. Meanwhile, Allied troops opened a second front on June 6, 1944, landing from British territory across the English Channel and landing in Normandy. This began the liberation of France from the Nazis. Allied forces advanced toward Germany to the East, liberating European countries west of Germany. And Soviet troops from east to west. Both sides were approaching Germany. In January 1945, on February 4-11, near Yalta, in Crimea, the second personal meeting of the heads of the Allied powers took place in the same composition. The main issue at this conference was the discussion of how Germany would be liberated. By decision of the conference, the territory of Germany was divided into 4 zones of occupation between the allies. It was assumed that the USSR would liberate East Germany. And the allies (USA, UK, France) occupy the western part of this country. The Allies agreed to demand the complete and unconditional surrender of Germany and not to negotiate with it. Such an attempt took place, but was stopped by Soviet intelligence. The USSR once again confirmed its decision to enter the war against Japan three months after the end of the Great Patriotic War. At the Yalta Conference, friendly and trusting relations developed between the heads of the Allied powers. But, unfortunately, this was the last conference of the non-nuclear world. And relations between the allies will soon deteriorate.

c) Potsdam (Berlin) conference.

It took place after the signing of the German surrender in the suburb of defeated Berlin, Potsdam, from July 17 to August 2, 1945. The USSR was still represented by Stalin. But in the USA, after the death of Roosevelt, Harry Truman became president. He represented his country. The British Prime Minister W. Churchill was replaced on July 28 by the new Prime Minister K. Attlee. The main issue at the conference was the decision of the fate of Germany. Disarmament and organization of power in the country. It was not possible to develop a consensus on this issue, so they decided to control Germany with the help of the occupation forces of the 4 allied powers. Moreover, the duration of their stay was not limited. The issue of reparations (payment for damage) from Germany in favor of the Soviet Union, as the country that suffered most from Hitler's aggression, was resolved.

The conference established new boundaries in Europe. The pre-war borders of the USSR were recognized, and the territory of Poland expanded at the expense of German lands. The territory of East Prussia was divided between the USSR and Poland.