Potsdam Comference

When was the Potsdam conference?

July - August 1945

How was the atmosphere?

Tense, not cooperative anymore

Key point of tension

• USA has successfully tested the atomic bomb

Power balance has changed

Why did Truman replace Roosevelt

Roosevelt died

Truman’s character?

More aggressive than Roosevelt strongly anti-communist

What was agreed?

• Germany remains split into 4 zones

• Berlin also split into 4 zones

• USSR can take reparations from its zone

What country was the key disagreement between Truman and Stalin and why

Germany because opposite aims of punish v rebuild leads to disagreement and conflict over Germany’s future

What did Truman want from Germany?

To rebuild Germany because strong Germany means stable Europe + trade

What did Stalin want from Germany

• Wanted to punish Germany heavily because USSR suffered massive damage in WW2

Who wanted large reperations from Germany

USSR

Why was the atomic bomb a key disagreement?

Truman tells Stalin about a “powerful weapon” but doesn’t explain details

Why did the atomic bomb cause tension?

Stalin becomes suspicious of USA and feels USA is trying to intimidate USSR

What does the Potsdam conference show?

The end of cooperation and start of open disagreement