1.2.2

Relations between Roosevelt, Stalin & Attlee

Test yourself

The New Leaders

After his death, Roosevelt was accused of being too soft on the communists. Truman, his successor, was keen not to be criticised over relations with the USSR. Clement Attlee replaced Winston Churchill as Prime Minister shortly after Yalta.

Illustrative background for Harry S. TrumanIllustrative background for Harry S. Truman ?? "content

Harry S. Truman

  • Truman had limited experience with world affairs and held different beliefs to Roosevelt. He and his advisors were much more hard-line towards Stalin, especially as the atomic bomb development was near to success.
  • Truman was hostile to the Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov when he visited America and told him he must stick to agreements made at Yalta.
  • Truman did, however, share the idea that the world should be focused on self-determination and that there should be an open trading system based on international cooperation.
Illustrative background for Clement AttleeIllustrative background for Clement Attlee ?? "content

Clement Attlee

  • Attlee had less experience than Truman and had primarily been focused on internal affairs, especially after the end of the Second World War which saw Britain economically ruined.
  • Attlee wanted to keep America close so that they could help to re-build Germany and protect the rest of Europe. Attlee feared that the USSR would continue to expand and was highly suspicious of Stalin.
Illustrative background for Joseph StalinIllustrative background for Joseph Stalin ?? "content

Joseph Stalin

  • Stalin was suspicious of both America and Britain going into the Potsdam conference.

Jump to other topics

1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9

2Widening of the Cold War

3The Global War

4Confrontation & Cooperation

5Brezhnev Era

6Ending of the Cold War

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson