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<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkfGHFWGrag</youtube>__NOTOC__[[File: Stalin and Ribbentrop.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Stalin and Ribbentrop after signing pact 1939.]]Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin ruled over reacted extremely slowly to the Soviet Union between 1920 and 1953 acting as a supreme leader invasion of the USSRhis country by German forces in 1940. Holding the post of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet UnionIndeed, not only did he was effectively the dictator of the state. Stalin introduced his own highly centralized command economyreact slowly, launching a period of industrialization and collectivization but he also ignored warnings that resulted in the rapid transformation of the USSR from an agrarian society into an industrial global powerGermans planned to attack his country. Between 1934 and 1939 Stalin mercilessly carried out a series of massive political extra-judicial executions, known as 's response to the Great Purge, of major Communist Party and government rival figures as well as German invasion has perplexed historians for many Red Army high commanders without any proper trials - all convicted of treason or considered a threatyears. These “enemies of It seems that the working class” were imprisionedSoviet Leader had placed his trust in Hitler, exiled, sent and this almost led to forced labor camps or executed, without due processthe defeat of the Soviet Union.

In the meantime Germany revitalized under Adolf Hitler’s leadershipStalin's response to Hitler's invasion was slow and disorganized, worked to revise especially in the post-World War I organizational structure first days of Europethe war. Stalin's response was ineffective because he trusted Hitler. However, imposed by Stalin took charge of the United States, England situation and changed his military and diplomatic policy that at first slowed the German advance and Francethen stopped it before it reached Moscow in December 1941.

==Reaching the Molotov–Ribbentrop Non-Aggression Pact Was war between the USSR Soviet Union and NAZI Germany and their initial warming economic relationsinevitable? ==After [[How Joseph Stalin became the Nazis rose to power in Germany in 1933, relations between Germany and leader of the Soviet Union|Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin]] ruled over the Soviet Unionbetween 1920 and 1953, acting as the two sworn enemy regimes, began to deteriorate rapidly, and trade between supreme leader of the two countries decreased and almost frozeUSSR. Following several years Holding the post of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of high tension and rivalry, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union eventually began to improve relations in 1939, he was effectively the dictator of the state. German Stalin introduced his own highly centralized command economy thrived at , launching a fast pace by exporting manufactured goods period of industrialization and industrial equipment collectivization that resulted in exchange for importing raw materials. In turn, the USSR being 's rapid transformation from an agrarian state, rich in natural resources, was struggling with transition towards industrializationsociety into an industrial global power. The Soviets had to purchase Between 1934 and import more than half 1939, Stalin mercilessly carried out a series of massive political extra-judicial executions, known as the necessary factory machinery from the United States. It occurred that both Stalin Great Purge, of major Communist Party and Hitler, therefore, were at odds with the Westgovernment rival figures as well as many Red Army high commanders without any proper trials - all convicted of alleged treason or considered a threat. Driven by their mutual resentment for These “enemies of the Westworking class” were imprisoned, each for his own reasons and interests under the circumstancesexiled, Communist USSR and NAZI Germany seemed sent to have much in common and be close to reaching a German-Soviet cooperation via a natural allianceforced labor camps or executed, without due process.

In 1939the meantime, Germany revitalized under Adolf Hitler’s leadership, London and Paris invited Moscow worked to corevise the post-sign an Anglo-French guarantee to protect Poland World War I organizational structure of Europe, imposed by the United States, England, and Romania from possible German aggressionFrance. The Soviets agreed only upon permission from LithuaniaAt the same time, Poland Germany and Romania to allow the free passage of Soviet troops in the event of war. However, Poland refused USST appeared to grant its permission, fearing Soviet’s secret agenda to take over its territorybe natural enemies. The West prolonged Soviet-Allied negotiations since [[How did Hitler become the Great Powers feared the spread Dictator and Fuhrer of Germany?|Adolf Hitler]] loathed the communist regime Communists, and considered Stalin publicly denounced the Soviet Union as an outlaw state for its established social and political structures through internal subversionNational Socialist Party. The two regimes were ideological enemies, armed violence and terrorism. USSR in turn advocated it seemed to many observers that a war between the overthrow of all capitalist regimestwo was inevitable at some stage.<ref>Stalin's Secret War Plans: Why Hitler Invaded the Soviet Union - Boobbyer, Phillip http<i>[https://www.wintersonnenwendeamazon.com/scriptoriumgp/englishproduct/archives0415182980/articlesref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415182980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=be2a9195cf0017e9147f778e95d45fbe The Stalin Era]</stalwarplansi> (Routledge, London, 2000),p.html178</ref>

After failure of == What was The Molotov–Ribbentrop Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the negotiations with Britain USSR? ==[[File: Molotov.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Ribbentrop and FranceMolotov in Berlin, Stalin eventually turned 1940]]After the National Socialist Party rose to power in Germany. As a resultin 1933, on 23 August 1939 relations between Germany and the Soviet Union entered into a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany. The pact, known as Molotov–Ribbentrop Pactthe two sworn enemy regimes, was named after the USSR and NAZIS foreign affairs political figures at the time. Hitler no more had began to fear the possibility of a war on two fronts. Moreoverdeteriorate rapidly, Stalin and Hitler signed numerous secret protocols dividing trade between the entire territory of Eastern Europe into Soviet two countries decreased and Nazi spheres of influencealmost froze. The Soviets would recover eastern PolandSoviet Union generally had good relations with the Weimar Republic.<ref>Boobyer, formerly part of Imperial Russia. The Germans also supported the USSR's claims on Bessarabia (eastern part p 198</ref> Following several years of Romania) tension and agreed to define Eastern Europe's Baltic (Polandrivalry, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania) Germany and Balkan states as belonging to the Soviet “sphere of interestUnion eventually improved relations in 1939.” Furthermore, after signing the pact, the countries rapidly expanded their economic relationship The German economy thrived by entering into a commercial agreement whereby the Soviet Union sent critical raw materials exporting manufactured goods and ingredients to Germany industrial equipment worldwide in exchange for weaponsimporting raw materials. On the other hand, military technologythe USSR was still an agrarian state. While it was rich in natural resources, civilian it was struggling to transition to a more industrial economy. The Soviets were forced to purchase and manufacturing import more than half of the necessary factory machineryfrom the United States. The pact was appealing to the two leaders because they were both at odds with the West. ThereafterDriven by their mutual resentment for the West, the USSR's and Germany received significant amounts of petroleum's interests briefly aligned, grain, rubber and manganese, all necessary for its future war effortsthey moved towards [[The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact- Stalin’s greatest mistake?|German-Soviet cooperation and an alliance]].

In 1939, London and Paris invited Moscow to co-sign an Anglo-French guarantee to protect Poland and Romania from possible German aggression. The Soviets agreed only upon permission from Lithuania, Poland, and Romania to allow the free passage of Soviet troops in the war. However, Poland refused to grant its permission because they justifiably feared that the Soviets wanted to use these as a pretext to take over its territory. The West prolonged Soviet-Allied negotiations since the Great Powers feared the spread of the communist regime and considered the Soviet Union as an outlaw state for its established social and political structures through internal subversion, armed violence, and terrorism. USSR, in its turn, advocated the overthrow of all capitalist regimes.<ref>Stalin's Secret War Plans: Why Hitler Invaded the Soviet Union</ref> After the Soviet Union's negotiations fell apart with Britain and France, Stalin turned to Germany. As a result, on the 23rd of August 1939, the Soviet Union entered into a non-aggression pact with Germany. The pact, known as [The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact- Stalin’s greatest mistake?| Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact], was named after the leadership of the USSR's and Germany's foreign affairs. Hitler allayed his fears of a two-front war in Europe. Moreover, Stalin and Hitler signed numerous secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe into Soviet and German spheres of influence. The Soviets would recover eastern Poland, formerly part of Imperial Russia. The Germans also supported the USSR's claims on Bessarabia (eastern part of Romania). They agreed to define Eastern Europe's Baltic (Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania) and Balkan states as belonging to the Soviet “sphere of interest.” Furthermore, after signing the pact, the countries rapidly expanded their economic relationship by entering into a commercial agreement whereby the Soviet Union sent critical raw materials and ingredients to Germany to exchange weapons, military technology, civilian and manufacturing machinery. Thereafter, Germany received significant petroleum, grain, rubber, and manganese, all necessary for its future war efforts. ==Violation of What did the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and World War II: former allies eventually turn against each otherdo? ==[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1974-099-19,_Russland,_Angriff_auf_ein_Dorf.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|German Troops in the Soviet Union in 1941]]The two dictators signed secret protocols dividing central Europe between Stalin and Hitler, efectively let . It effectively lets both the USSR and the NAZIS to Germany invade freely countries listed within their “spheres of influence”influence. However, the agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union could 's agreement was not be sustainable for long and did in fact settle ultimately set the stage for the start Eastern Front of the World War II.Still, the initial improving relations with Germany meant that the Soviet Union could expand its territory in Eastern Europe unmolested into the Baltic States. Stalin believed that his understanding with Hitler would last, and he became complacent.<ref> Montefiore, Simon Sebag. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400076781/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400076781&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=eb9848bd0a98d402c5a3cab783e1108d Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar]''. (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003), p. 117</ref>

On 1 September 1939, within days of signing the pact and the secret protocols, Hitler invaded Poland, now confident that the Soviets would not oppose him. In response, Britain and France declared war on Germany. A couple of weeks later, the Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east to grab its share. In 1940, the USSR followed up by occupying Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania , and the Bessarabia's Romanian province of Bessarabia. Britain and France protested , but with their forces already at war against Germany, they could not afford fighting to fight Stalin as well. Indeed, initially, the The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact initially worked quite well and showed how similar the two states ' goals really were. UnfortunatelyBut this peace did not last for long.  Once the Soviets seized a generous portion of Eastern Europe, they also tried to invade Finland. Despite being tremendously outnumbered and outgunned, the Finns improvised a defense and made the best of the terrain and the ferocious winter weather. Simultaneously, the German army conquered France without suffering appreciable losses, and the British withdrew from the continent. The Germans were astonished at how badly the Soviets performed against the Finns. This struggle encouraged Germany to attack the USSR. Germany determined that they could defeat Stalin in a rapid campaign ([[What was Blitzkrieg and Who Created it |Blitzkrieg]]) before turning their sights to Brits in the west. <ref>The pact between Hitler and Stalin that paved the way for World War II was signed 75 years ago - http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-08-21/pact-between-hitler-and-stalin-paved-way-world-war-ii-was-signed-75-years-ago</ref> <dh-ad/> == Why did Germany violate the pact with USSR with Operation Barbarossa? == [[File:Barb_2.jpg|thumbnail|255px|left|German soldier in front of BT-7 Panzer tank in Ukraine in 1941]]In addition to weakness, the Soviet's showed in Finland, Germany had also been alarmed by the Soviet Union's seizure of part of Romania. Germany was concerned that Stalin would target the oil fields in Romania. These oil fields were vital to the German war effort. Germany moved several armored divisions into Poland and, in December 1940, issued a directive for the invasion of the Soviet Union, codenamed Operation Barbarossa. Several sources warned Stalin of the imminent threat of a German invasion. Soviet intelligence had monitored the German's actions. Stalin refused to believe it- instead, he continued to assume that Germany would abide by the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. In the early morning of 22 June 1941, Germany officially violated the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and invaded the Soviet Union.<ref> Montefiore, p. 245</ref> Historians claim that Stalin was stunned by the invasion and refused to accept the news was true. The Soviet leader had also ignored all warnings from the US, British governments, and even his own intelligence officers. Economic and diplomatic relations between the USSR and Germany rapidly deteriorated and were abruptly terminated. The Soviets were not last prepared for a war against Germany. The Red Army troops were scattered and dispersed among several fronts.  Furthermore, Stalin’s purges of army officers in the 1930s had crippled the Soviet military machine. During the early days of the war, the Red Army lacked trustworthy and skillful generals and suffered several disastrous losses. The Red Army ultimately allowed German troops almost to reach the Kremlin gates. <ref>Joseph Stalin and World War II - http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-stalin</ref> The German assault on the Soviet Union was wildly successful. During the early weeks of Operation Barbarossa, Germany averaged gains of 50 miles a day. This rapid advance was abetted by the lack of direction from Stalin. For some time, the Red Army languished without any direction from Stalin.<ref> Montefiore, p. 245</ref> == Why did Stalin react so slowly to the German Invasion? ==There are several theories on why Stalin should have reacted so slowly to the invasion. Some have speculated that Stalin was so shocked by the invasion and the betrayal by Hitler that he went into a state of shock. Some believe that such was his despair that Stalin retreated away from the world, unable to face the magnitude of his mistake and the consequences of his error in trusting Hitler. He had assumed that Hitler would abide by the terms of the non-aggression pact of 1939. Some historians have even suggested that Stalin suffered some nervous breakdown. Another less popular theory is that Stalin deliberately withdrew from the scene to avoid being ousted from power. When he saw that no one was about to challenge his authority, he decided to control the situation. <ref>Bellamy, Chris, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375724710/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375724710&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4af9160f8751b9120921c7982235532a Absolute War: Soviet Russia in the Second World War]</i>. New York: Alfred A. Knopf & Random House.2007), p. 53</ref> ====Stalin leads the fightback====However, within weeks Stalin manages to recover from the shock and called for longreinforcements. Although German troops had made huge advances into the heartlands of the Soviet Union and the rest of the government had been evacuated from Moscow, Stalin remained in the Kremlin and begun to take control of the country’s ailing military infrastructure. As German troops approached Moscow's Soviet capital, Stalin directed a devastating defensive policy, destroying any supplies or infrastructure that might benefit the enemy. Fresh competent USSR military commanders loyal to Stalin were allowed to control important strategic positions and military divisions. <ref>Bellamy, p. 117</ref>

Once This scorched earth tactic denied the Soviets seized a generous portion of Eastern Europe, they also tried to invade FinlandGermans key supplies. Despite being tremendously outnumbered and outgunnedThis was particularly the case as the German supply lines had become extended, the Finns improvised a defense and made the best of men at the terrain and front did not receive the ferocious winter weathersupplies they needed. At The destruction of the same time, infrastructure and anything else that could be utilized by the German army conquered France without Germans caused immense suffering appreciable losses and the British withdrew from to the continentSoviet civilian population. The Germans were astonished at how badly However, it dramatically slowed the Soviets performed in the fighting with the FinnsGerman advance. This encouraged them that the USSR and Stalin were already weakened by 's policy contributed to the war affairs and thus Hitler could German army's failure to take Moscow in turn defeat Stalin in a rapid campaign (Blitzkrieg) even before finishing off the withdrawn Brits in the westearly winter of 1941. <ref>The pact between Hitler and Stalin that paved the way for World War II was signed 75 years ago - http://www.priBellamy, p.org/stories/2014-08-21/pact-between-hitler-and-stalin-paved-way-world-war-ii-was-signed-75-years-ago112</ref>

In the early morning of 22 June 1941, Hitler officially violated the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and invaded == How did Stalin reorganize the Soviet Union. Historians claim that Stalin was stunned by Army? ==After the invasion and for quite some time refused to accept of the news was true. The Soviet leader had ignored all warnings received from and the USpoor leadership shown by many Generals, British and his own intelligence officers regarding he adopted a potential invasion. He even retreated in despair for several days and did not participate new policy that promoted men of ability to positions of authority in the leadership decisionsarmed forces, such as Zhukov. Economic and diplomatic relations between This greatly improved the two countries rapidly deteriorated Red Army's leadership and abruptly terminated. The Soviets were not prepared for a war allowed it to be more effective against Germany with the Red Army troops scattered and dispersed among several frontsGerman armies. Furthermore, Stalin’s purges of army officers in the 1930s had crippled Stalin also reorganized the Soviet military machine and in Army's High Command. He established the early days of the war, Stavka. This provided the Red Armywith the leadership it needed in its life or death struggle with Germany. Stalin supervised Stavka closely, lacking trustworthy and skillful generals, suffered disastrous losses letting NAZI troops almost reach Kremlin gatesbut he also gave his Generals more authority. <ref>Joseph "Stalin and World War II 's Role in WWII" - http://wwwyesterday.historyuktv.comco.uk/warzone/topicsarticle/josephstalins-role-stalinwwii/</ref>

However, within weeks Stalin manage also sought to recover from the shock and called for reinforcements. Although German troops had made huge advances into raise the heartlands fighting morale of the troops. He well knew that many ordinary Soviet Union citizens were still Russian nationalists at heart and venerated the rest of Orthodox Church. To improve the government had been evacuated from Moscowarmy's morale and loyalty, he promoted Russian nationalism, even though, as a Communist, he was ideologically opposed to nationalism. Furthermore, he stopped persecuting the Orthodox Church. These measures made Stalin remained in popular with the Kremlin army and begun to take control raised the morale of the country’s ailing military infrastructuretroops. As German troops approached This stiffened their resistance to the Soviet capital invasion of Moscowthe Russian 'Motherland.'<ref> Zhukov, Georgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E., Stalin directed a devastating defensive policySalisbury, destroying any supplies or infrastructure that might benefit the enemy<i>[https://www.amazon. Fresh competent USSR military commanders loyal to Stalin were allowed to take control of important strategic positions and military divisionscom/gp/product/0356029239/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0356029239&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=422ccd38a753dde5fbe26d0486b12cb8 Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles]</i> (New York: Harper & Row, 1969), p.116</ref>

==Decisive battle for Stalingrad and Soviets offensive doctrineWhy did Churchill align with Stalin? ==In 1942, failing to achieve his Blitzkrieg and with the advance of winter and severe weather conditions, Hitler shifted his primary goal from an immediate victory in the East, to the more long-term goal of securing As the southern Soviet Union and its oil fields, vital to a long-term German war effort. The invading Germans aimed at Stalingrad as essential to their campaign strategic point in southern Russia while the Soviets were determined to defend the city as a vital industrial and transportation center at all cost. Both Stalin and Hitler understood the symbolic importance of the only city to bear the Soviet dictator’s name. However, the tide turned for the Soviets with the monumental Battle invasion of Stalingrad, from August 1942 to February 1943, during which the Red Army defeated the Germans and eventually drove them from Russia in a fierce combat and resistance. <ref>Battle of Stalingrad - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad</ref>On February 2, 1943, left with no provisions and surrounded by the reinforced Red Army, the Germans were forced to surrender. About 150 000 Germans had died in the fighting for Stalingrad. Furthermore, although there were over 2.5 million Soviet casualties, the Soviet victory at Stalingrad permitted the USSR to turn back offensive for the rest of the war on the Eastern front. Stalingrad was a great humiliation for Hitler. He then became more distrustful than ever of his generals. Stalin, on the other hand, gained confidence back in his military. <ref>Stalin's Role in WWII - http://yesterday.uktvprogressed.co.uk/warzone/article/stalins-role-wwii/</ref> As the WWII progressed, confident of an oncoming Allied victory over Germany, Stalin contacted Western diplomats requesting two agreements. He aimed at reaching a mutual assistance/aid pact and a recognition that after the war , the Soviet Union would gain the territories in countries that it would take war actions against Hitler on the Eastern front. [[How did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in World War Two?|Winston Churchill]] was very willing to ally with Stalin. Even though He was an ardent anti-communist and personally disliked Stalin. He agreed to support the Soviets in their battle with the Germans.

==Teheran and Yalta Conferences: Iron will of Stalin and Soviet dictator’s agenda When criticized for post-war USSR zone of influence and interest==aligning with Stalin skillfully started to jostle for post-war position with , Churchill stated he "would become the other allied countries against NAZI Germanydevils" ally. Between November 28 and December 1, 1943, " Stalin took part 's diplomatic moves in the so-called Tehran Conferenceaftermath of Operation Barbarossa was shrewd. The chief discussion It allowed him to receive the support of first the meeting, held by British and later the US President Franklin RooseveltAmericans.<ref> Belamy, p. 34</ref> The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill began to supply the Soviets with arms and supplies via Iran and the Antarctic. Stalin's diplomatic response to his country's invasion was to become the ally of his ideological rivals, centered on the opening of a “second front” western democracies.<ref>Stalin's Role in Western EuropeWWII - http://yesterday.uktv.co. uk/warzone/article/stalins-role-wwii/</ref>

== Conclusion ==Stalin agreed to conduct an eastern offensive operations to coincide with made a potentially fatal mistake in trusting Hitler, and when the forthcoming Western FrontGerman's invaded, and in return he asked the western leaders seemed to proceed with formal preparations for their long-promised invasion and regaining of German-occupied France. Stalin also insisted on retaining the territories provided by the German-Soviet Non-aggression Pact of 1939 and additionally requested the Baltic coast of East Prussia as have been in a compensation for the USSR’s enormous role and great number state of casualtiesshock. <ref>Teheran Conference - http://www.britannica.com/event/Tehran-Conference</ref> In implementation of This meant that his response to the Tehran Conference decision, in May 1944 joint Britain and US troops launched an invasion of Francewas slow, opening the so-called “second front” in the West. Their actions which allowed the Soviet Union Germans to make significant advances across Eastern Europe toward Germany. The end of great inroads into his country until the Communists seemed on the war was near and it was time for another meeting verge of the Alliesdefeat.|Yalta Conference Stalin soon took place in February, 1945charge and adopted new tactics. This was Crucially he reorganized the second wartime meeting of the “Big Three” the British Prime Minister Winston Churchillarmy, raised its morale, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and US President Franklin Roosevelt). Each brought his own agenda to entered into a new alliance with the Yalta Conferencewest. The British wanted to maintain their empire, the Soviets wished to secure and obtain more land and secure positions in their new zones of influence These decisions proved crucial and interestsdelayed, and eventually stopped the US wanted to insure the Soviet’s entry into the Pacific war German advance, and discuss postwar settlement. From in the very openinglong run, Stalin made it clear that his demands regarding Poland were not negotiable: the Soviets were to gain “their territory” from the eastern portion of Poland and Poland was able to compensate for that by extending its Western boarders, thereby forcing out millions of Germans. Negotiators even signed a declaration forcing defeat the Polish to provide inclusion of Soviet Communists in their postwar national governmentGerman army.

<ref>Yalta Conference - http://www====Related DailyHistory.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/yalta-conference</ref> org Articles====Furthermore, *[[What were the Big Three agreed to require Germany’s unconditional surrender and ratified their agreements regarding NAZI Germany postwar division: there were to be four zones of occupation, one zone for each goals of the three dominant nations plus one zone for France. Berlin itself, although within Axis powers and the Soviet zone, would also be divided into four sectors, and would eventually become a major symbol of the Cold Union during World War socialists-capitalists separation due to the infamous Berlin Wall, which Two?]]*[[What was constructed Blitzkrieg and maintained by the Soviets.Who Created it]] *[[Why did Operation Market Garden in 1944 fail?]]The Soviets led by *[[Top Ten Booklist on Joseph Stalin were keen on regaining lost territories and Yalta Conference ]]*[[Why was their best chance to do that. As a result Stalin even agreed to enter the Pacific war against Japan France defeated in exchange for more territories granted, including portions of Sakhalin, Port Arthur, Manchurian railroads and the Kurile Islands. However, already in poor health, President Roosevelt failed to acknowledge Stalin’s true objectives. Roosevelt readily met Stalin’s conditions, since the Soviets eventually agreed to join the United Nations and Pacific war. The two leaders even secretly negotiated a voting formula with a veto power granted solely to the permanent members in the UN Security Council, providing themselves with more control in the world affairs and greatly weakening the UN power in the oncoming disputes. 1940?]]Overall, Roosevelt and the other Allies felt confident that Yalta had been successful. Nevertheless, the true Conference winner was once again Joseph Stalin. </div>

==Post war doctrines, conference reactions and consequences== References====<references/>

Although, the initial reaction to the Yalta agreements was celebratory, it was also very short lived. In 1945, the administration of the new US president Harry Truman clashed with the Soviets over their influence in Eastern Europe, and over the United Nations. Many Americans began to criticize Roosevelt’s handling of the Yalta negotiations due to the following lack of Soviet cooperation and even giving Eastern Europe and Northeast Asia away to the Soviet Union. Numerous Central [[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Russian History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:World War Two History]][[Category:European nations also often regard the Conference in Yalta as the “Great Western betrayal” since it allowed the USSR to intervene freely in their domestic affairs, abandoning democratic policies and turning them into Soviet satellites, effectively introducing Communist regimes with impunity. At the Yalta conference, the Big Three “attempted to sacrifice freedom for the sake of stability”, and many believe the decisions and concessions of Roosevelt and Churchill during the summit led to the following power struggle during the Cold War. Nevertheless, Stalin essentially got everything he wantedHistory]] [[Category: a significant territorial sphere of influence and interest as a buffer zone. The German invasion in the USSR and pressing back to victory in the East required a tremendous sacrifice by the Soviet Union. And Stalin skillfully used that during the wartime conferences in pursue of his postwar Soviet empire expansion. Soviet military casualties totaled approximately 35 million with over 15 million killed, missing or captured. One in four Soviets was killed or wounded. More than 1 700 towns and 70 000 villages were destroyed and the Soviet civilian death toll reached over 25 million. Thereafter, Stalin was often referred to as one of the most influential men in human history. Although, Stalin was responsible for the deaths of over 20 million people during his brutal rule, he was even nominated for Nobel Peace Prize twice – in 1945 and 1948. He continued to prosecute a reign of terror, purges, executions, exiles to labor camps and persecution in the postwar USSR, suppressing all dissent and anything that represented foreign–especially Western–influence. Stalin established communist-satellite governments throughout Eastern and Central Europe.20th Century History]]However, despite all, Soviet dictator’s iron will and deft political skills let Stalin play the loyal ally while never abandoning his true vision of an expanded postwar Soviet empire.{{Contributors}}