Key learning points

1. The Grand Alliance put aside their differences during the Second World War to defeat their common enemy, Nazi Germany.
2. Tensions emerged amongst the Grand Alliance because of different ideologies and priorities.
3. Important agreements were made at the Tehran Conference and the Yalta Conference about the post-war world.
4. Tensions increased at the Potsdam Conference for a range of reasons including a change in US President.
5. The Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe remained a source of significant tension between the USA and USSR.

Keywords

• Cold War - a period between c. 1945 and c. 1991 of intense rivalry and tension between the USA and the USSR

• USSR - a collection of states known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; also known as the Soviet Union

• Ideologies - sets of beliefs and ideas

• Communist - relating to a system of government where all property is owned by the state and resources are shared equally

• Capitalist - relating to an economic system where businesses and resources are owned privately for profit

Common misconception