The period between the two world wars has been marked by tension, conflict, and cooperation. Among them, the Potsdam Conference and the Yalta Conference were two important international conferences during World War II, both of which were concerned with the future of the world and the construction of peace. Although the two meetings were similar in some respects, there were also significant differences between them.
1. Background and time
Yalta Conference: As the Allied victory in Europe became clear in 1944, in early 1945 the heads of state of the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain decided to hold a meeting to discuss the post-war world order before Germany's surrender. The conference was held in Yalta, USSR, from February 4 to February 11, 1945.
Potsdam Conference: Germany formally surrendered on May 8, 1945, but Japan continued to resist in the Asian theater. In order to hasten Japan's surrender and discuss the post-war reconstruction of Europe, the leaders of the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain met again and met in Potsdam, Germany, from July 17 to August 2, 1945.
2. Participants
Yalta ConferenceFranklin D. Roosevelt of the United States, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain, and Joseph Stalin, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR.
Potsdam Conference: Since Roosevelt died shortly after the Yalta Conference, the United States ** was replaced by Harry S. Truman. Thus, the Potsdam Conference was attended by Truman, Churchill (who was later succeeded by Clement Attlee) and Stalin.
III. Main Topics
Yalta Conference
Germany's unconditional surrender and post-war disposition.
Poland's borders and political system.
The question of the Far East, in particular, the conditions for the declaration of war by the USSR against Japan.
The establishment and structure of the United Nations.
Potsdam Conference
Further disposition and management of defeated Germany.
Japan was urged to surrender unconditionally.
Discussion of the economic and political reconstruction of post-war Europe.
The Potsdam Proclamation was issued, giving an ultimatum to Japan's conduct of war.
Fourth, the impact
Yalta Conference: This meeting laid the foundation for the post-war world and became known as the "Yalta System". It ensured the cooperation of the Allies in World War II, but it was also controversial due to certain decisions, such as Poland's border adjustments. More importantly, the conference laid the groundwork for the establishment of the United Nations.
Potsdam ConferenceThe conference further cemented the post-war cooperation between the three countries and hastened Japan's surrender (the United States subsequently dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Soviet Union declared war against Japan). The Potsdam Proclamation not only issued an ultimatum to Japan, but also had a profound impact on post-war international law and international relations.
Overall, both the Yalta Conference and the Potsdam Conference were important turning points in the history of World War II, which not only influenced the outcome of the war, but also had a profound impact on the post-war world order.