From Yalta to the Iron Curtain: The Great Powers and the Origins of the Cold War(Le Temps Mondial / World Time)

A history of the origins of the Cold War by top experts in the field. This book is a history of the origins of the Cold War, a conflict that marked the course of global politics for more than forty years. Basing his analysis on unpublished archives, the author explains the series of tragic events that led to Europe's division after World War II. He presents an analysis of the United States' strategic response, the birth of the Marshall Plan, the reconstruction of Germany, and the measures the UK and France took to defend Europe and preserve their imperial power.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 The "Grand Alliance": A Heterogeneous Coalition; Strategy and Conflict; The Conference of Yalta. Part 2 The Disintegration of the "Grand Alliance": Hopes and concerns; The Disagreement About Poland; Franklin D. Roosevelt's Disappointment; Harry Truman Becomes President of the United States; The 'Iron Curtain' Casts its Shadow; The United States Abandons Poland. Part 3 Disagreement Among the Winners: The Hegemony of the Great Powers; The USSR - A Colossus with Feet of Clay; The Rise of American Hegemony; The British Empire's Finest Hour; France Weakened; Divergence Over the International Order; The Conference of Potsdam; Disagreement and Compromise. Part 4 Spheres of Influence: Toward the Division of Europe; The End of the War in Asia; The Labour Government's Concepts; Disagreement Over the Peace Treaties; Stalin's Isoltionist Policy; The "Three Monroes"; The Atomic Bomb; The Search for Compromise. Part 5 The Start of the Cold War: Public Affront; The USSR Gains Strength in Eastern Europe; The Kennan Telegram; Warnings from Winston Churchill; British Concerns. Part 6 Impasses in European Diplomacy: The German Question; The Peace Negotiations continue; Disputes Over Italy; The Breach of the Potsdam Agreement. Part 7 The Development of the Cold War: The Crystallisation of Ideological Antagonism; The New United States Strategy in the Mediterranean and the Middle East; The Peace Talks Recommence; The Collapse of Western Hegemony in Asia; The Withdrawal of the British Empire. Part 8 Containment: The Division of Europe; The Collapse of British Power; The Truman Doctrine; The Moscow Conference. Part 9 The Consolidation of the Spheres of Influence: The Development of American Strategy; The Implementation of the Marshall Plan; The Soviet Reply; The Development of American Hegemony; The Creation of the Cominform; Strategic Rapprochement of European and the Middle East. Part 10 The Defense of Europe: The Division of Germany; The Bevin Initiative; The Western European Union; The Berlin Blockade.

About the Author :
Pierre de Senarclens Professor of International Relations,Institute of Political Science, Paris and also at Johns Hopkins University, Bologna Translated from the French by Amanda Pingree

Review :
'Handy, effective, and well balanced, the study's special strength lies in its Western European perspective (especially British) based on a close analysis of British and French archival records; the US side of the story is told from published sources.' - Choice'(A) well-written and thoughtful analysis of the origins of the Cold War'American Historical Review'The history is well written and well translated, a good read which gives an excellent account of the events and plots and sub-plots...'Socialist History'...an interesting, worthwhile survey from a European viewpoint that still suffers much from neglect.'The International History Review