Yalta Conference 1945

The second conference came in February 1945. This time it was held in Yalta in the Soviet Union. Since Tehran, the promised second front had been opened by British and US forces in Western Europe and significant gains had been made by both sides against Germany. As victory was creeping closer, the Yalta conference focussed on what would happen after the war.

One significant agreement coming out of the Yalta conference was the future of Germany. The allies agreed that it would be split into four zones of occupation, each controlled by one allied power, France, Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States. It was also agreed that like the First World War, Germany would have to pay reparations to the allies, half of these would go directly to the Soviet Union. Reparations were set at $20 billion. The leading Nazis would also face war crime trials to be set up after the defeat of Germany.

There was also an agreement to set up the United Nations and a meeting was set for 25th April 1945. The Soviet Union wished for all 16 of the Soviet Republics to be admitted individually, as the United Nations was set up to admit all countries. The US and France did not want all 16 republics admitted so allowed Russia, Ukraine and Belarus to join.

Further agreements included, the Soviet Union confirming the joining of the war against Japan. There was also discussion around what would happen with Europe after the war. Stalin committed to free election in all countries in Eastern Europe, however the US and Soviet Union disagreed over Poland. Initially the borders of Poland, were set as those in 1921 and that elections would be free. This agreement gave the Soviet Union large amounts of land to the west in former Polish territory.