First, check out the picture at this link and I'll explain: link
This picture is one of the most famous pictures taken of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin at the Yalta Conference in Feb. 1945. There are, of course, several different pictures taken of that scene, some in color, some in black and white. link
Again, more pictures of another WW2 confernece, this time in Potsdam. Same set-up of photo.
Now, here's where I need some help -
In all of those pictures, the US president is in the middle, flanked by the British and Soviet leader. What I would like to know is if this is due to propaganda purposes. If you look through a textbook in Britain, for instance, is Churchill or Atlee in the middle, flanked by American and Soviet leaders? Is Stalin in the middle in Russian textbooks? Are all the pictures the same, or did they change the set-up for each country?
I've tried searching google, but it's the same 3 pictures all from American websites. Maybe it's nothing important and that's all that exists.
Churchill was also at early Potsdam meetings and, every pic I have seen in UK publications, it's always the US President in the middle.
Edit: Not that I am claiming I am a WW2 expert or anything.
i am a bit of a ww2 history buff.
i don't recall ever seeing a picture with mr churchill in the middle.
i believe that during these conferences roosevelt used to try and strengthen the usa's relations with soviet russia at the expense of great britain by ignoring churchill or making fun of him. much to churchill's displeasure.
churchill of course hated the soviet union, however using the idea that my enemy's enemy is my friend, he found himself allied to the soviets. when hitler invaded the soviet union churchill said something along the lines of ' if hitler invaded hell, i would at least make a favourable reference to the devil, in the house of commons'
I've done the exact same thing. What a wacky world we live in.
Thanks for the replies. I wondered if maybe the pictures were re-shot for each country's home press. But for some strange reason, the US president is in the middle of all of them. Perhaps, as Dugg mentioned, it was due to some Anglo-Soviet hatred. Interesting nonetheless (at least if you find that sort of stuff interesting)
Churchill couldn't sit when Stalin entered in the room. When old Joseph came in the room everyone stood up (except Roosevelt of course), and Churchill once wanted to continue to sit, but again - when Stalin entered, he has risen from the chair.
