Answer :
Final answer:
The Big Three leaders met at the Potsdam Conference in July 1945 to finalize the division of Germany into occupation zones and discuss war reparations. This meeting was crucial for establishing postwar order in Europe. Tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western allies were evident, especially regarding reparations and political control in Eastern Europe.
Explanation:
The Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference, held from July 17 to August 2, 1945, was a critical meeting between the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union to discuss the postwar landscape of Europe. Attendees included President Harry S. Truman, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin. The main focus of the conference was the administrative division of Germany into occupation zones, which was finalized here after initially being discussed at the earlier Yalta Conference.
Key Outcomes of the Conference
- Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union.
- The leaders agreed on reparations to be paid by Germany, particularly to the Soviet Union, which was a point of contention.
- Plans were made to demilitarize Germany and establish an Allied Control Council for administration.
The decisions made at the Potsdam Conference shaped the future of Europe and directly influenced the geopolitical climate that led to the Cold War. Truman's hints regarding the atomic bomb also heightened tensions among the leaders.
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