The Yalta Agreement was a meeting of World War II Allied leaders Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin in Yalta, Crimea, from February 4 to 11, 1945. The goal of the conference was to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe and address the pressing issue of how to defeat Germany. The resulting agreement, also known as the Crimea Conference, outlined a number of key decisions that would shape the post-war world.
One of the most significant decisions made at Yalta was the division of Germany into four zones of occupation, with the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and France each controlling a portion of the country. It was also agreed that a joint Allied Control Council would be established to oversee the administration of the occupied territories.
Another important aspect of the Yalta Agreement was the establishment of the United Nations. The agreement outlined the structure and functions of the new international organization, including the Security Council and the General Assembly. It was also agreed that all three of the major Allied powers would have veto power on the Security Council, which would give them significant influence in the decision-making processes of the organization.
In addition to these major decisions, the Yalta Agreement also addressed a number of other issues related to the post-war world. These included the reparations to be paid by Germany, the disarmament of the German military, and the return of Soviet prisoners of war.
One of the more controversial provisions of the Yalta Agreement was the issue of Eastern Europe. The agreement stated that the Soviet Union would be allowed to maintain "influence" over the countries of Eastern Europe, which many saw as a concession to Stalin and a betrayal of the principles of the Atlantic Charter. This issue would later become a source of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Overall, the Yalta Agreement was a significant moment in the history of World War II and the post-war world. While it was successful in achieving some of its goals, such as the establishment of the United Nations and the division of Germany, it also had its share of controversies and criticisms. However, its impact on the shaping of the post-war world cannot be denied.