What significant pledge did the Soviet Union make at the Yalta Conference concerning Eastern Europe?

The significant pledge made by the Soviet Union at the Yalta Conference concerning Eastern Europe was to allow democratic procedures. This conference, held in February 1945, was a meeting of the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union as World War II was drawing to a close.

In the context of Yalta, the leaders discussed the post-war reorganization of Europe. One of the key outcomes was the agreement that nations liberated from Nazi occupation would have the right to choose their own governments, which implied the establishment of democratic processes in those regions. This pledge was particularly important because it came at a time when the influence of the Soviet Union was growing, and Western leaders hoped it would mitigate the spread of communism by ensuring that Eastern European nations could pursue varying forms of government, including democratic systems.

However, the implementation of this pledge was not upheld in the following years, as many Eastern European countries fell under Soviet control, leading to the establishment of communist regimes instead. This divergence illustrates the complexities of international relations during the early Cold War period. It underscores the tension between the ideals discussed at Yalta and the reality that unfolded shortly thereafter.