Potsdam Conference: July 16 - August 2, 1945
In 1945, three World Powers met to discuss the war and what should be done with the offending countries – The Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The leaders of the countries at the time were, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Harry Truman respectively, talked about many different aspects of the war, and agreed on many different topics concerning post-war Germany. Some of the agreements were:
· Germany and Austria would be divided up into smaller sections
· Nazi War criminals would be prosecuted
· German people outside of the border would be moved back into Germany
· German living standards could not exceed average living standards of Europe
· Demolition of weapons manufacturing plants in Germany
However, the United States and United Kingdom didn’t agree to one demand from the Soviet Union. Stalin wanted to improve the Soviet Union’s economy by huge reparation payments from Germany. Since they didn’t need Soviet support anymore, both Truman and Churchill voted no on that idea.
The Potsdam Conference also detailed the terms of Japan’s surrender. At this time, the United States and United Kingdom were still at war with Japan. The United States talked of an atomic bomb that could be used, but it had only been tested in outlying areas, not on any actual population.
· Germany and Austria would be divided up into smaller sections
· Nazi War criminals would be prosecuted
· German people outside of the border would be moved back into Germany
· German living standards could not exceed average living standards of Europe
· Demolition of weapons manufacturing plants in Germany
However, the United States and United Kingdom didn’t agree to one demand from the Soviet Union. Stalin wanted to improve the Soviet Union’s economy by huge reparation payments from Germany. Since they didn’t need Soviet support anymore, both Truman and Churchill voted no on that idea.
The Potsdam Conference also detailed the terms of Japan’s surrender. At this time, the United States and United Kingdom were still at war with Japan. The United States talked of an atomic bomb that could be used, but it had only been tested in outlying areas, not on any actual population.