Battleground 246. Shaping the Post-War World at The Yalta Conference
Jan 29, 2025
In this discussion, writer and historian Giles Milton, author of "Checkmate in Berlin," provides fascinating insights into the Yalta Conference of 1945. He details the political maneuvers of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, emphasizing how Stalin exploited his military advantages. Topics include the dramatic negotiations over Poland's fate, the complex division of Germany, and the lavish banquets that accompanied these high-stakes discussions. Milton also draws parallels between Yalta's geopolitical tensions and today's political landscape, especially regarding Ukraine.
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The Lemon Tree Gift
- Stalin gifted Roosevelt a lemon tree after learning of his martini preference.
- This gesture showed Stalin's attentiveness and desire to foster a good relationship with Roosevelt.
A Dark Joke
- Stalin joked about executing 50,000 German officers after the war.
- Roosevelt, to Churchill's horror, suggested reducing the number to 49,000, signaling his willingness to align with Stalin.
Conflicting Agendas
- Churchill's primary goal at Yalta was preserving the British Empire.
- This was at odds with Roosevelt's disinterest in the empire and his growing closeness to Stalin.
