Grand Alliance

What was the Grand Alliance?

The Grand Alliance was a military and political coalition against the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan during the Second World War.

When was the Grand Alliance formed?

The Grand Alliance began after the USA entered the Second World War. The alliance was created in June 1941 but formally signed by the USA, the Soviet Union and Great Britain on New Year's Day, 1942, and lasted until 1945.

Who was part of the Grand Alliance?

The Grand Alliance consisted of the three major Allies of the Second World War - the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain.

Why was the Grand Alliance formed?

The sole purpose of the Grand Alliance was to defeat the Axis powers - Nazi Germany, fascist Italy and Imperial Japan.

Why was there tension in the Grand Alliance?

Although they were fighting the Nazi threat together, there were 3 main reasons for tension between the countries of the Grand Alliance during the Second World War:

• ❖ Both sides kept secrets. Stalin refused to share battle plans with Britain and France; when German troops surrendered in Italy, Britain and the US did not include the USSR in the discussions.
• ❖ Stalin believed the USA had deliberately delayed opening a second front in France until 1944 so the USSR would be weakened fighting Nazi Germany on its own.
• ❖ The two sides had opposing ideologies and did not trust each other.

How did the Grand Alliance cooperate during the Second World War?

The public was presented with a positive image of the Grand Alliance, and the three countries did help each other in 3 key ways:

• ❖ British merchant ships helped take supplies to the USSR.
• ❖ America included the USSR in its Lend-Lease programme, which meant it lent and sold military equipment to help defeat Germany.
• ❖ The USSR lost 26 million people fighting the Nazis after 1941, but this meant Germany's army was tied down and allowed Britain and America to plan and launch D-Day.