Activity 1: Commentary on Yalta February 1945
Introduction
This activity compares a newsreel film clip with two written sources produced at the same time as the Yalta Conference in February 1945.
Activity
Watch the film clip and study the two sources concerning the Yalta Conference and then add a commentary for the film clip using our film-editing tool. You may use this recording sheet (PDF, 16KB) to plan your commentary. Include the following points in your commentary:
- The issues which were discussed
- The agreements which were reached
- The relations between the three leaders
- How the leaders viewed the future of the world after the end of the war
Clip: The three powers meeting, Germany’s fate decided at Crimea Conference.
British Gaumont Newsreel, by courtesy of ITN Source.
To view this film, you will require Adobe Flash 8 or higher and must have Javascript enabled.
Information about the clip
This short clip shows the three leaders at the Yalta conference in February 1945. It was produced by British Gaumont Newsreel. The same footage can be seen as part of a different clip called War Pictorial News No.200 in the film archive.
Extracts from the Yalta Protocol - the agreements signed by Britain, the USA and the USSR at the Yalta Conference February 1945.
Catalogue ref: FO 371/50838
To listen to this audio clip you will require Adobe Flash 8 or higher and must have Javascript enabled.
Extracts from US President Roosevelt's speech to the US Congress on the Yalta Conference, March 1st 1945.
Catalogue ref: FO 371/50839
To listen to this audio clip you will require Adobe Flash 8 or higher and must have Javascript enabled.
Conclusion
When you have made you commentary have look at the same film with a British commentary that can be found in our archive. The film is called War Pictorial News No.200 in the Cold War selection of films.
