Wwii Grand Alliance Was A Myth

Debate WWII #2:

“The Grand Alliance was a myth; self-interest was the only motive of the Allies.”

CON: needs to prove self-interest was NOT the only motive

CASE:

The Grand Alliance was not a myth, as the three leaders Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill, set aside economical and political interests in order to work together as best possible.

This debate takes aside the fact that these countries were jointly fighting Hitler’s Nazi Germany, and to win a victory over the Axis Powers was in the interest of all.

We take issue with Pro’s vague, broad definition of “self-interest”, as it doubtless referring to such interests that are specific to a country in question, rather than collective interests.

USSR:

Ð"o cooperated with democratic nations-Ð" politically dangerous

o May 1943, Stalin dissolved CominternÐ" so less communist influence in Western Europe

Ð"o Proof: accepting US aid in form of more modern technology, e.g. trucks, which the ordinary Russian could see as “products of superior societies” (Brown).

o By 1942: US/Brit combined sent 4 000 tanks and 3 000 trucks

Ð"o Yalta agreement: Stalin promised to help US’ invasion of Japan

Ð"o Gave up territory in Eastern Europe

o Gave up Greece, part of Yugoslavia, Austria, Czech Sloavia, Albania (Shell)

Ð"o Yalta Conference (Feb 1945): “Declaration on Liberated Europe” presented by R.

o Temporary governments, early free elections

o Allowed Gr. Brit to take charge about territorial issues in France, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway (Shell)

US:

Ð"o was anti-communist, but worked w/ USSR

o At Tehran conference: allowed USSR free reign in own country, puppet gov. in Poland, Czech Slovakia and Baltic States

Ð"o Isolationist policy, but Roosevelt promises priority to European war

o #s:

o Roosevelt (nov 1941): “I may never declare war; if I were to ask Congress , they might argue about it for three months.

Ð'§ Draft Bill passed by only one vote, without it, wouldn’t have been able to provide soldiers

Ð'§ Neutrality Act repealed by a small majority in Senate (Churchill)

Ð"o Lend-Lease program:

o over $46, 000 million in military aid

Ð'§ $30 billion to Brit

Ð'§ $11 billion to USSR

o Federal budget: $9 billion (’39) Ð"Ё $166 billion (’45)

Brit:

Ð"o Gives up self-interest to aid USSR:

o African theatre was top priority, as Churchill needed dominance of the Mediterranean in order to secure the Middle East and India.

o Roosevelt convinced him of 2nd Front in 1944

Ð"o Churchill’s acquiescence to shift of Poland’s borders

o Division line in Poland: restored to 1919 Curzon line

Ð'§ Percentage agreements w/ Stalin in Oct 1944

o Gave Bilo-Russia, western Ukraine back to USSR

o Recognized a “temporary” Communist Polish government in Poland

Thus it is proven that Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill set aside their differences in favor of a victory over Hitler.

REBUTTALS: