Allied Occupation of Berlin and Potsdam Conference

Germany’s surrender in May 1945 left Berlin devastated by bombing, street fighting, displacement and shortages. The former capital was divided into Soviet, American, British and French occupation sectors, while Allied authorities attempted to restore basic administration, investigate war crimes, dismantle Nazi institutions and decide how Germany would be governed.

From 17 July to 2 August 1945, Harry S. Truman, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill, later replaced at the conference by Clement Attlee, met at Potsdam to negotiate occupation policy, borders, reparations and the wider European settlement. Agreement over Germany concealed deepening mistrust between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies.