The Yalta & Potsdam Conferences - 1945 AD
History: KS3, topic 20.1.3
The Yalta and Potsdam Conferences - 1945 AD
After World War II, the Allies met at Yalta in February 1945 AD and again at Potsdam in July 1945 AD to decide what should be done with the defeated Germany.
Zones of occupation
- The Allies agreed that Germany (and within it Berlin) would be divided into four zones of occupation.
- One would be run by each of the Allies:
- USA, Britain, France and the USSR.
The USA vs the USSR
- The USA wanted a united, capitalist Germany that would represent American 'greatness'.
- On the other hand, the Soviet Union wanted Germany to be divided and under the communist sphere of influence.
- This would make sure that Germany could not attack the Soviet Union again.
East and West
- So, Germany was split into:
- The German Democratic Republic (East Germany, controlled by the Communist USSR).
- The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany, controlled by the capitalist US, France and Britain).
- Berlin was also divided into zones.
Disagreements
- East Germany was the part controlled by the USSR and was communist.
- West Germany was a union of the zones controlled by the USA, Britain and France.
- Stalin believed that joining together like this went against the agreements made at Potsdam.
Test yourself on The Yalta & Potsdam Conferences - 1945 AD
Why did the USSR want a weak and divided Germany?