David Kennedy, Andrew Roberts and Stephen Kotkin Discuss the Big Three of the 20th Century

Hoover Institution

7 Aug 201974:12

EducationalLearning

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TLDRIn this episode of Uncommon Knowledge, Peter Robinson hosts a live discussion with historians David Kennedy, Andrew Roberts, and Stephen Kotkin at the Hoover Institution. The panel delves into the strategic interests and relationships of the 'Big Three' leaders—Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin—during World War II. They explore the dynamics and decisions leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany, the complexities of the Tehran and Yalta conferences, and the post-war impact on Europe and Asia. The conversation underscores the war's enduring lessons and the significance of strong international engagement.

Takeaways

🎥 The episode was taped live at the Hauck Auditorium and dedicated to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.
📜 The Big Three leaders played crucial roles in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II.
🔍 The discussion focuses on what Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin each wanted, their national interests, and their views of each other.
🇬🇧 Churchill's primary interest was the survival of the British Empire and the longer-term goal of bleeding Germany dry with Russian help.
🇺🇸 Roosevelt aimed to create a world safe for democracy and avoid heavy militarization, focusing on an international environment conducive to democratic survival.
🇷🇺 Stalin's initial goal was Soviet survival, followed by reclaiming lost territories and projecting Communist power globally.
⚔️ Operation Barbarossa was a significant turning point, leading to the Grand Alliance between Britain, the USA, and the Soviet Union.
📅 The Tehran Conference in 1943 was a key meeting where the Big Three discussed military strategy and the post-war world.
🌍 The Yalta Conference in 1945 involved agreements on the United Nations, Soviet entry into the war against Japan, and the division of Germany.
🕊️ The long-term consequences of WWII included the rise of the United States as a global superpower and the eventual Cold War with the Soviet Union.

Q & A

What was the main focus of the discussion in the episode?
-The episode focused on the big three leaders—Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin—who led the Allies to victory in World War II. The discussion explored their national interests, relationships, and decisions during the war.
What did Churchill think about Franklin Roosevelt?
-Churchill considered Roosevelt the greatest American friend they had ever known, although he had moments of bitterness and uncertainty about Roosevelt in private.
What was Churchill's primary interest during the war?
-Churchill's primary interest was the survival of Britain. He wanted to ensure Britain remained independent and aimed to preserve the British Empire.
What was Franklin Roosevelt's aim before the United States entered the war?
-Before entering the war, Roosevelt aimed to make the world safe for democracy by creating an international environment where democratic societies could survive without becoming heavily militarized.
How was Stalin caught off guard by Operation Barbarossa?
-Stalin was misled by German disinformation, believing that Hitler would not attack but was massing troops to blackmail him. Stalin expected an ultimatum rather than an invasion and was unprepared when the attack occurred.
What were Stalin's initial war aims?
-Stalin's initial war aim was survival. Once survival became possible, his aims shifted to reclaiming lost territories and projecting Soviet power globally.
What was the strategic debate between Churchill and Roosevelt at the Tehran Conference?
-The central strategic debate was about how and when to open a front in Western Europe. American planners wanted a cross-channel invasion, while Churchill preferred operations in the Mediterranean to ensure British influence in Eastern Europe.
How did Roosevelt try to manage his relationship with Stalin at the Tehran Conference?
-Roosevelt tried to cultivate Stalin's trust by aligning more with Stalin than Churchill, hoping to win Stalin's cooperation and ensure Soviet participation in the war against Japan.
What was the outcome of the Yalta Conference regarding Poland?
-At Yalta, despite attempts to secure Polish democracy and free elections, the agreements were vague, and Stalin retained control over Poland. Roosevelt and Churchill hoped for the best but were ultimately unable to change the reality on the ground.
What was the long-term impact of the decisions made by the big three during World War II?
-The long-term impact included the establishment of the United Nations, the division of Europe into Western and Soviet spheres of influence, and the onset of the Cold War. The United States emerged as a dominant global power, shaping the international order for decades.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Introduction to the Big Three

This episode of 'Uncommon Knowledge' features a live show dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, the leaders who crushed Nazi Germany during World War II. The program explores their national interests, mutual perceptions, and the complexities of their alliance.

05:03

📜 Roosevelt's Vision for Democracy

Franklin Roosevelt aimed to create an international environment where democratic societies could thrive without becoming militarized. He sought to make the world safe for democracy, rather than imposing democracy worldwide.

10:06

🔍 Stalin's War Preparedness

Despite being caught off guard by Hitler's invasion, Stalin had the largest military force at his disposal. Stalin was initially deceived by German disinformation, which led him to expect a diplomatic ultimatum rather than an attack.

15:09

⚔️ Strategic Military Decisions at Tehran

During the Tehran Conference, the Allies debated the best approach to relieve pressure on the Soviet Union. Churchill preferred a Mediterranean strategy, while American military planners, led by General George Marshall, advocated for a direct invasion across the English Channel.

20:10

🛡️ Roosevelt's Political Maneuvering

Roosevelt navigated complex political and military dynamics, promising a second front to Stalin to maintain the alliance while also managing domestic political considerations.

25:11

🌍 The Yalta Conference and Poland's Fate

At Yalta, the Allied leaders discussed post-war Europe, with significant focus on Poland. Despite agreements, Poland's future remained under Soviet control, reflecting the power dynamics and territorial negotiations of the time.

30:12

📘 Stalin's Commitments and Western Naivety

Despite Stalin's promises at Yalta, Western leaders naively believed in his assurances about Poland. Churchill and Roosevelt's attempts to secure Polish democracy ultimately failed against Soviet dominance.

35:14

🔗 The Impact of Yalta on the Cold War

The decisions made at Yalta set the stage for the Cold War, with Stalin exploiting the power vacuum in Eastern Europe. The Western Allies' limited means to counter Soviet expansion highlighted the challenges of post-war diplomacy.

40:15

💼 The Challenges of Post-War Diplomacy

Roosevelt and Churchill faced difficult choices in dealing with Stalin, who strategically maneuvered to maximize Soviet gains while maintaining a facade of cooperation with the Allies.

45:16

🇵🇱 The Grim Realities for Poland

Poland's tragic fate under Soviet control was sealed at Yalta, with Western leaders acknowledging the limited impact of their diplomatic efforts against Stalin's strategic objectives.

50:17

🌏 The Overlooked Importance of East Asia

While the focus often remains on Europe, the outcomes in East Asia, particularly regarding China, significantly influenced post-war geopolitics. The missteps in dealing with China had lasting consequences.

55:18

🏛️ Roosevelt's Strategic Blunders in Asia

Roosevelt's failure to effectively manage the Chinese situation and secure Stalin's cooperation in curbing communist influence in Asia represented a significant strategic miscalculation.

00:20

🔔 Lessons from the Second World War

The war demonstrated the catastrophic consequences of international system breakdowns and highlighted the need for strong, engaged leadership to maintain global peace.

05:20

🎓 Teaching the Relevance of WWII Today

Educators emphasize the enduring lessons of WWII, stressing the importance of understanding history to prevent the repetition of past mistakes and to appreciate the complexities of current global politics.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡The Big Three

The term 'The Big Three' refers to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union respectively during World War II. These leaders played pivotal roles in the Allied victory over Nazi Germany and are central figures in the video's discussion of wartime strategy and post-war objectives.

💡Operation Barbarossa

Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. This invasion marked a crucial turning point in World War II, leading to the formation of the Grand Alliance between Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. The operation's failure was pivotal to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.

💡Atlantic Charter

The Atlantic Charter was a pivotal policy statement issued in August 1941 that defined Allied goals for the post-war world. Drafted by Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, it outlined principles for peace and democracy. Stalin's approval of the charter marked a significant step in aligning Soviet interests with those of the Western Allies.

💡Tehran Conference

The Tehran Conference, held from November 28 to December 1, 1943, was the first meeting of 'The Big Three' during World War II. It marked a significant point where the leaders coordinated their military strategies against Germany and discussed post-war reorganization. It highlighted the differing aims and the beginning of post-war planning.

💡Second Front

The term 'Second Front' refers to the Western Allies' promise to relieve pressure on the Soviet Union by opening a new front against Nazi Germany in Western Europe. This was realized with the D-Day landings in Normandy in June 1944. The concept was central to the strategic discussions at the Tehran Conference and was a contentious issue between Churchill and Roosevelt.

💡Yalta Conference

The Yalta Conference was a major meeting of 'The Big Three' in February 1945. It addressed the reorganization of post-war Europe, the fate of Poland, and the creation of the United Nations. The conference is often criticized for the concessions made to Stalin, which led to Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe.

💡Unconditional Surrender

Unconditional surrender refers to the Allied policy announced at the Casablanca Conference in 1943, which required the Axis powers to accept complete defeat without negotiations. This policy was intended to prevent any remnants of the regimes from regaining power post-war. It significantly influenced the conduct of the war and the strategies of the Allied leaders.

💡Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was a non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed in 1939. It included secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. The pact's violation by Germany during Operation Barbarossa led to the Soviet Union joining the Allies.

💡Grand Alliance

The Grand Alliance was the wartime coalition of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, formed to defeat Nazi Germany. The alliance was marked by significant ideological differences but unified by the common goal of defeating the Axis powers. The dynamics and tensions within this alliance are a central theme of the video.

💡United Nations

The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. Its creation was a key objective of Franklin Roosevelt and was agreed upon at the Yalta Conference. The UN's formation marked a significant effort to create a new international order post-World War II.

Highlights

The live show at Hauck Auditorium at the Hoover Institution dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.

Discussion on what Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin wanted during WWII and the national interests they were pursuing.

Churchill's mixed feelings about Roosevelt: 'the greatest American friend' yet privately 'very bitter'.

Introduction of distinguished historians: David Kennedy, Andrew Roberts, and Stephen Kotkin.

Hitler's Operation Barbarossa and its impact on the Grand Alliance between Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union.

Roosevelt's aim to make the world safe for democracy without necessarily making the world democratic.

Stalin's initial misjudgment of Hitler's intentions, expecting an ultimatum rather than an attack.

Stalin's war aims: survival, regaining lost territories, and projecting communist power globally.

Tehran Conference as the first meeting of the Big Three, discussing strategic military plans.

Roosevelt's strategy to mollify Stalin regarding the delayed second front in Western Europe.

Churchill's Mediterranean strategy and its eventual rejection in favor of a direct cross-channel attack.

Yalta Conference and its outcomes: Soviet commitment to the United Nations and war against Japan.

The Declaration on Liberated Europe and its implications for post-war democratic institutions.

Roosevelt's cultivation of Stalin's trust versus seeking Stalin's respect.

Stalin's ruthless wartime strategy, sacrificing millions for territorial gains.

The post-war division of Europe and the Soviet Union's dominance in Eastern Europe.

The debate on who 'won' WWII: Soviet Union's high cost in lives versus the United States' rise to global power.

Long-term consequences of WWII: the rise of the United States and China as major powers.

The importance of understanding WWII for modern students: lessons on international peace and the role of democracies.

Transcripts

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