At the Yalta Conference in 1945, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin agreed to allow free elections in Poland as part of the allied war strategy.

Question

How did Stalin’s actions after the agreement affect post-war relations between the Soviet bloc and the Western democracies?

(4 points)
Responses

Nationalists won the election and allied with the West, angering the Soviets.
Nationalists won the election and allied with the West, angering the Soviets.

A Polish rebellion was suppressed by the Western democracies, leading to conflicts with the Soviets.
A Polish rebellion was suppressed by the Western democracies, leading to conflicts with the Soviets.

Polish trade unionists organized opposition to Soviet dominance and won independence from Soviet control.
Polish trade unionists organized opposition to Soviet dominance and won independence from Soviet control.

Soviet refusal to conduct the elections heightened distrust between the two sides.

Answer 1

The most accurate response regarding how Stalin’s actions after the agreement affected post-war relations between the Soviet bloc and the Western democracies is:

Soviet refusal to conduct the elections heightened distrust between the two sides.

Stalin's failure to uphold the promise of free elections in Poland contributed to growing tensions and distrust between the Soviet Union and the Western democracies, leading to a division in Europe and the beginning of the Cold War.