World War 2

Overy, Why the Allies Won, Ch. 10, “Why the Allies Won,” pages 314-325; “Epilogue,” 326-330

Parker, The Second World War, Ch. 15, “From war to peace: Anglo-American relations,” pages 243-249; Ch. 16, “From alliance to Cold War: the Soviet Union and the West,” pages 250-263

Assignment:

Evaluate the context and outcomes of the Yalta and Potsdam conferences in 1945. How did these outcomes reflect the attitudes, goals, and geo-strategic positions of the U.S., Great Britain, and Soviet Union at the time? What tensions did they foreshadow? How had events evolved or developed between the dates of the two conferences (February and July 1945) in terms of leadership and military outlook? What alternatives were available to the western Allies in dealing with the Soviets in this period? What different paths might they have pursued, and what were the chances of success? What even would have been defined as success at the time?

Essay should be of 5-6 pages