When Germany surrendered to the Allied powers in May 1945, the world found itself in a state of disarray. Europe was left with immense devastation, and a significant shift in global power dynamics was evident. To address the changes in the postwar world, the Allied powers organized a conference to discuss the new organization of Europe, particularly concerning Germany, as well as the ongoing war in Japan. This conference took place on July 17, 1945, in Potsdam, Germany, and is now referred to as the Potsdam Conference, where the Allied powers outlined their plans and strategies for peace.

The conference was attended by three prominent leaders: U.S. President Harry Truman, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. The participants sought to address several key issues related to the postwar world. One of the main topics of discussion was the management of Germany. They established goals for the country’s demilitarization and disarmament and formally decided on the zones of occupation within Germany. The country was divided into four zones, which were allocated to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. Additionally, the conference addressed how to handle and prosecute Nazi war criminals. In addition to the handling of Germany, the conference also discussed how to handle the ongoing war in Japan. They formed and issued the “Potsdam Declaration,” which called for Japan’s unconditional surrender or face the utter destruction of their country. 

The Potsdam Conference played a crucial role in shaping the final stages of World War II by outlining plans for Germany after the collapse of the Nazi regime. It also established the framework for dividing Germany among the Allied Powers. However, the conference highlighted the growing tensions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. Additionally, pressure was applied to Japan to surrender, with references to a “new destructive weapon” possessed by the United States. The Soviet Union was already aware of this weapon through espionage, thereby setting the stage for the onset of the Cold War.