Rising Tensions in the Cold War - The Potsdam Conference

Question 1

What was the Potsdam Conference?

Answer 1

The Potsdam Conference was the third and final meeting between the USA, Britain and the Soviet Union to discuss Nazi Germany and the future of Europe.

Question 2

Where was the Potsdam Conference held?

Answer 2

The Potsdam Conference was held in Potsdam, Germany.

Question 3

When was the Potsdam Conference held?

Answer 3

The Potsdam Conference took place between July and August 1945.

Question 4

Who attended the Potsdam Conference?

Answer 4

President Harry Truman of the United States.
Prime Minister Clement Attlee of Great Britain.
Premier Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union.

Question 5

Why did the leaders at the Potsdam Conference change?

Answer 5

Leadership of two Allied nations had changed since the Yalta Conference. Roosevelt died in April 1945 and Churchill lost the British general election in July.

Question 6

What disagreements were there at the Potsdam Conference?

Answer 6

• The USA and Britain were unhappy Stalin had removed the non-communists from the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity.
• The USA and Britain were unhappy Stalin had not allowed free elections in eastern Europe. Stalin was angry as he thought the West was interfering.
• Truman deliberately delayed the Potsdam meeting so America could test the atomic bomb. When Truman informed Stalin about the USA’s successful test, Stalin was very angry not to have been told beforehand.
• Truman was very anti-communist and wanted to get ‘tough’ with Stalin.

Question 7

What decisions were taken at the Potsdam Conference?

Answer 7

• The Nazi Party was banned.
• War criminals were to be prosecuted.
• Germany was to be reduced in size
• Germany and Berlin would be divided into four occupied zones controlled by the USA, Britain, France and the Soviet Union.
• All economic decisions about Germany must be agreed to by all four powers in the Allied Control Council.
• A Council of Foreign Ministers was set up to organise the rebuilding of Europe.
• It was decided the Soviet Union would receive 25% of the industrial output from the other three occupied zones.