The Potsdam Agreement was a historic agreement reached by the Allies towards the end of World War II. Signed on August 2, 1945, the agreement was a key moment in history and determined the post-war policies for Germany and Europe. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why the Potsdam Agreement happened.
After the defeat of Germany, the victorious parties of World War II gathered to discuss the fate of Germany and Europe. The Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the principal powers at the meeting. The Soviet Union had suffered greatly during the war, with an estimated 27 million deaths, and therefore demanded the most influence over post-war Europe.
The Potsdam Agreement was the result of this meeting held in Potsdam, Germany in July 1945. The agreement was a follow-up to the earlier Yalta Conference, where the Allies had discussed the post-war fate of Germany and Europe. However, the Potsdam Agreement was significantly different from the Yalta Conference as the Soviet Union was now in a more powerful position and had a more significant influence over the negotiations.
One of the main reasons why the Potsdam Agreement happened was to address the uncertain future of Germany after the war. The agreement laid out a series of policies that were intended to prevent Germany from ever regaining its military power and becoming a threat to Europe again. This included the disarmament and demilitarization of Germany, the removal of Nazi influence, and the prosecution of Nazi war criminals. The Allies also agreed to divide Germany into four occupation zones, each controlled by one of the four powers, to ensure that Germany never again posed a threat to Europe.
Another reason why the Potsdam Agreement happened was to address the issue of the Soviet Union’s desire for territory. The Soviet Union had suffered significant losses during the war, and as a result, sought to expand its territory by annexing parts of Eastern Europe. The Potsdam Agreement recognized the Soviet Union`s territorial gains during the war and allowed them to keep the territories they had occupied in Eastern Europe.
The Potsdam Agreement also dealt with the issue of Poland, which had suffered greatly during the war. The Allies agreed to re-establish Poland`s prewar borders and provide it with a new government. However, the Soviet Union was given significant influence over Poland`s future government, which drew criticism from the Western Allies.
In conclusion, the Potsdam Agreement happened for several reasons, including the uncertain future of Germany, the Soviet Union`s desire for territory, and the need to establish new governments in Eastern Europe. The agreement was a significant moment in history and shaped the post-war policies for Germany and Europe.