Stop Two: Embassy of the Russian Federation, Tehran
In late 1943, American President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Josef Stalin met in Tehran, Iran to discuss war strategy, the defeat of Germany, and to set the stage for post-war peace conference. It was the first meeting of the “Big Three” allied leaders. Notes from the meetings, taken by American foreign officials and member’s of Roosevelt’s Executive staff illuminate the differing objectives and concerns of the Allied powers, despite their common enemy.
Primary Source: “First Plenary Meeting, November 28, 1943, Bohlen Minutes” and “First Plenary Meeting, November 28, 1943, Joint Chiefs of Staff Minutes,” Foreign Relations of the United States, 1943, vol 3, The Near East and Africa (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1965), 487-497.
First Plenary Meeting
November 28, 1943, 4pm
Conference Room, Soviet Embassy
Bohlen Minutes
SECRET
THE PRESIDENT said as the youngest of the three present he ventured to welcome his elders. He said he wished to welcome the new members to the family circle and tell them that meetings of this character were conducted as between friends with complete frankness on all sides with nothing that was said to be made public…
Chief of Staff Minutes
MARSHAL STALIN asked who will be the commander in the Operation Overlord. (THE PRESIDENT and PRIME MINISTER interpolated this was not yet decided.) MARSHAL STALIN continued, “Then nothing will come out of these operations.”…
THE PRESIDENT said we again come back to the problem of timing for OVERLORD. It was believed that it would be good for OVERLORD to take place about 1 May, or certainly not later than 15 May or 20 May, if possible.
THE PRIME MINISTER said that he could not agree to that…
…he said he (the Prime Minister) was going to do everything in the power of His Majesty’s Government to being OVERLORD at the earliest possible moment. However, he did not think that the many great possibilities in the Mediterranean should be ruthlessly cast aside as valueless merely on the question of a month’s delay in OVERLORD.
MARSHAL STALIN said all the Mediterranean operations were diversions…
THE PRESIDENT said he found that his staff places emphasis on OVERLORD. While on the other hand, the Prime Minister and his staff also emphasize OVERLORD, nevertheless, the United States does not feel that OVERLORD should be put off.
THE PRESIDENT questioned whether it would not be possible for the ad hoc committee to go ahead with their deliberations without any further directive and to produce an answer by tomorrow morning.
MARSHAL STALIN questioned, “What can such a committee do?” He said, “We Chiefs of State have more power and more authority than a committee. General Brooke cannot force our opinions and there are many questions which can be decided only by us.” He said he would like to ask if the British are thinking seriously of OVERLORD only to satisfy the U.S.S.R.
THE PRIME MINISTER replied that if the conditions specified at Moscow regarding OVERLORD should exist, he firmly believed it would be Englands’ duty to hurl every ounce of strength she had across the Channel at the Germans.
THE PRESIDENT observed that in a hour a very good dinner would be awaiting all and people would be very hungry. He suggested that the staffs should meet tomorrow morning and discuss the matter...
Primary Source: “First Plenary Meeting, November 28, 1943, Bohlen Minutes” and “First Plenary Meeting, November 28, 1943, Joint Chiefs of Staff Minutes,” Foreign Relations of the United States, 1943, vol 3, The Near East and Africa (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1965), 487-497.
First Plenary Meeting
November 28, 1943, 4pm
Conference Room, Soviet Embassy
Bohlen Minutes
SECRET
THE PRESIDENT said as the youngest of the three present he ventured to welcome his elders. He said he wished to welcome the new members to the family circle and tell them that meetings of this character were conducted as between friends with complete frankness on all sides with nothing that was said to be made public…
Chief of Staff Minutes
MARSHAL STALIN asked who will be the commander in the Operation Overlord. (THE PRESIDENT and PRIME MINISTER interpolated this was not yet decided.) MARSHAL STALIN continued, “Then nothing will come out of these operations.”…
THE PRESIDENT said we again come back to the problem of timing for OVERLORD. It was believed that it would be good for OVERLORD to take place about 1 May, or certainly not later than 15 May or 20 May, if possible.
THE PRIME MINISTER said that he could not agree to that…
…he said he (the Prime Minister) was going to do everything in the power of His Majesty’s Government to being OVERLORD at the earliest possible moment. However, he did not think that the many great possibilities in the Mediterranean should be ruthlessly cast aside as valueless merely on the question of a month’s delay in OVERLORD.
MARSHAL STALIN said all the Mediterranean operations were diversions…
THE PRESIDENT said he found that his staff places emphasis on OVERLORD. While on the other hand, the Prime Minister and his staff also emphasize OVERLORD, nevertheless, the United States does not feel that OVERLORD should be put off.
THE PRESIDENT questioned whether it would not be possible for the ad hoc committee to go ahead with their deliberations without any further directive and to produce an answer by tomorrow morning.
MARSHAL STALIN questioned, “What can such a committee do?” He said, “We Chiefs of State have more power and more authority than a committee. General Brooke cannot force our opinions and there are many questions which can be decided only by us.” He said he would like to ask if the British are thinking seriously of OVERLORD only to satisfy the U.S.S.R.
THE PRIME MINISTER replied that if the conditions specified at Moscow regarding OVERLORD should exist, he firmly believed it would be Englands’ duty to hurl every ounce of strength she had across the Channel at the Germans.
THE PRESIDENT observed that in a hour a very good dinner would be awaiting all and people would be very hungry. He suggested that the staffs should meet tomorrow morning and discuss the matter...
Analysis Questions:
- What can you infer regarding the relationships between each of the men (FDR-Stalin, Stalin-Churchill, Churchill-FDR) from the notes?
- What promises did FDR seek from Stalin? What promises did Stalin seek from FDR?
- What are the central points of conflict discussed by FDR and Stalin?
- How might these conversations lead to future distrust between the two nations?