The Yalta Conference took place from February 4 to 11, 1945. It was a very important meeting during World War II, where key leaders from the Allied forces came together. The main people at this meeting were:

• Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States
• Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Joseph Stalin, the Premier of the Soviet Union

This meeting was crucial for deciding what would happen in Europe after the war and how to finish the fight against Nazi Germany.

Key Decisions Made at Yalta

1. Division of Germany:

   • The leaders decided to split Germany into four parts, each controlled by a different country: the U.S., the U.K., the Soviet Union, and France.
   • They wanted to make sure that Germany would not be a threat in the future. Each country would be responsible for rebuilding and managing their section of Germany.

2. Formation of the United Nations:

   • They agreed to create the United Nations, an important group aimed at keeping peace around the world.
   • The U.N. would have a Security Council, which included five permanent countries (the U.S., U.K., Soviet Union, France, and China). These countries could veto any major decisions.

3. Soviet Entry into the War Against Japan:

   • Roosevelt asked Stalin for help in the fight against Japan. After Germany surrendered, Stalin promised to join the fight against Japan within three months.
   • In return, the Soviets would gain some land in Asia, including the Kuril Islands and southern Sakhalin.

4. Poland and Eastern Europe:

   • The future of Poland and other Eastern European countries was a big topic of discussion. Stalin wanted a government in Poland that was friendly to the Soviet Union, but Roosevelt and Churchill wanted free elections there.
   • They agreed to set up a Polish government that combined parts of both sides, but this would later cause more tension in Eastern Europe.

5. War Crime Trials:

   • The leaders agreed that Nazi Germany and other Axis powers should be held responsible for their actions during the war. This led to the Nuremberg Trials, where many Nazi leaders were put on trial for their crimes.

6. Recommendations for the Future of Europe:

   • They talked about how to rebuild Europe after the war and the importance of "free and fair elections," even though there would be challenges in making it happen.
   • They also emphasized the need for the Allies to work together to stabilize and reorganize Europe.

7. Territorial Changes:

   • There were discussions about changing borders in Europe. It was suggested that Poland's western border could move further west, leading to tensions with Germany.
   • They recognized the importance of protecting the rights of ethnic groups affected by these changes.

Impact of the Conference Decisions

The decisions made at Yalta had big effects throughout history:

• Cold War Tensions: Dividing Europe into different areas controlled by different countries set the stage for the Cold War, which brought a lot of conflict between the East and West.

• Realpolitik: The compromises made at Yalta showed how international relations can focus more on practical decisions than on fairness. The lack of true democracy in Eastern Europe led to ongoing struggles and oppression.

• Legacy of the United Nations: The creation of the U.N. was a hopeful step towards global unity and security, a goal that is still important today.

Conclusion

The Yalta Conference highlighted the challenges the Allied leaders faced during a very difficult time. The decisions made there reflected the goals of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin. While they hoped to create lasting peace, their different interests would lead to divisions that shaped much of the 20th century. The impact of their choices during those important days would influence international relations and global conflicts for many years to come.