The Potsdam Conference, held from July 17 to August 2, 1945, primarily dealt with the administrative arrangements for the post-war order in Europe and the plans for the handling of Germany following its defeat in World War II. Key leaders from the Allied powers—Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, Winston Churchill (and later Clement Attlee after a change in the UK government), and Harry S. Truman of the United States—met to discuss several important issues.
The main concerns of the conference included:
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Germany's Administration and Reconstruction: The leaders discussed how to demilitarize, denazify, and democratize Germany, as well as the allocation of reparations to be paid by Germany.
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Territorial Adjustments: They addressed border changes and territorial adjustments in Europe, particularly in relation to Poland and the Soviet Union's influence in Eastern Europe.
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Post-war Order: Strategies for establishing peace and stability in Europe, including the establishment of new borders and the influence of the USSR in Eastern Europe.
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War in the Pacific: They also discussed plans for the ongoing war against Japan, including the potential use of atomic bombs.
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International Cooperation and Future Organizations: There were considerations on the future of international relations and collaboration, leading to the eventual establishment of the United Nations.
The Potsdam Conference set the stage for the geopolitical landscape of the post-war period, including the tensions that ultimately contributed to the Cold War.
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