Origins of the Cold War: Yalta Conference

1. Choose two points of agreement from the list and explain why they were significant for the future peace of Europe.      

First Point:     The Big Three all agreed to join the new United Nations Organisation, which would aim to

keep peace after the war.

this was significant for the future peace of Europe because "the big three" were a very significant power at the time, so if they were all trying to ensure that peace would maintain after the war chances are no one would wanna take up arms against them, and if they did they would probably lose.

Second Point:  They agreed that as countries were liberated from occupation by the German army, they would

be allowed to hold free elections to choose the government they wanted.

this was significant for keeping the future peace of Europe because countries would not be wanting to fight again, or start a war. they would be allowed a chance to start over in whatever type of a government they wanted with whatever leaders. They were given a pretty good deal and there wasn't really any way they could have been upset with this point, no fights or protests would break out.

2. Read Sources 2 - 11 on pages 320 and 321. What is your overall impression of the Yalta Conference based on these sources?      


My overall impression of the Yalta Conference was that it's guests had very ranging opinions. Some were clearly sided towards Stalin, while others were supportive of the three Great Powers. I noticed a common theme of the sources was that a bunch of people disliked Churchill greatly.

America Enters World War II

1. What impact did the outbreak of war in Europe have on U.S. foreign and defense policy?   

The outbreak of war in Europe impacted U.S foreign & defense policy by increasing national spending per Roosevelt's request, and also the first "peacetime military draft"  was passed. Roosevelt was so dedicated to this request that  he himself drew the first names.

2. Why did Roosevelt take one “unneutral” step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941?    
Roosevelt wanted to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941 because  he feared for his country's safety. He said that if the axis powers fell, Americans would be living at the point of a gun.


3. Why was the Atlantic Charter important?   
The Atlantic Charter was important because it was a joint declaration of war aims between Roosevelt and  Churchill. Roosevelt told Churchill at this point during a secret meeting that he was not okay with straight out telling congress he wanted to declare war, but he would try and persuade them as much as he could.


4. Why did the United States enter into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941?   
The United States entered into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941 because the Germans sunk the U.S Greer which angered Roosevelt and he instructed his officers to shoot submarines on sight.


5. How was oil a source of conflict between Japan and the United States?   

Oil was a source of conflict between Japan and the United States because the United States supplied Japan with oil, something which they could not win the war without. Due to this fact, Japan soon learned that they had to become on good terms again with the United States in order that the U.S did not cut off trade.

6. What problem would the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solve for Roosevelt? What new problems would it create? 

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor would solve the problem of declaring war for Roosevelt, however now he would have to face the problem of defending his country on two different fronts - in the Atlantic and Pacific.