Tensions in the Grand Alliance

The Grand Alliance was established by USSR, USA and Britain from 1941 to defeat the axis powers led by Germany, Japan and Italy. Following the end of the second world war the Big 3 hoped to continue their friendship but as it became clearer that the Germany was defeated the Big 3 began to have conflicting aims and objectives.

In 1945 the USSR wanted security and reparations form Germany and its allies. To do this the USSR were keen to hang on to the land annexed from Poland in 1939. Stalin also wanted to extend the USSR by reintegrating the Baltic provinces of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The USSR was also keen to extend the sphere of Soviet influence. In Eastern Europe in particular Stalin was keen to ensure that there were states that were friendly to the USSR. He expected that Greece would not become Communism.

The USA also felt vulnerable particularly following air borne nature of the attack on pearl Harbour in 1941. They wished to set up a series of camps to protect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This would also protect America's trading routes. President Roosevelt's policy was inspired by Woodrow Wilson's idea of free trade. This also included the United Nations an assembly where the whole world would be represented. This was embodied in the Atlantic Charter which Churchill and Roosevelt drew up in August 1941.

Britain's main aim was to ensure the survival of Great Britain as a great power on friendly terms with both the USA and the USSR. It was alarmed however, with the growing influence of the USSR. In addition as Britain had gone to war over Poland it was keen to see a democratic government established in Warsaw.

Tensions between the three powers began to show at the conferences held to sort out post-war Europe.