1. Division of Germany: Germany was divided into four zones of occupation, each controlled by one of the Allied Powers (U.S., U.K., France, and the Soviet Union). Berlin, the capital city, was also divided into four sectors. This paved the way for the eventual creation of two separate German states: East Germany and West Germany.
2. Nuremberg Trials: The meeting established the International Military Tribunal (IMT) to prosecute prominent Nazi leaders for war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against humanity. The trials, which took place in Nuremberg, Germany, resulted in the conviction and execution of several high-ranking Nazi officials.
3. Transfer of German Populations: The meeting approved the forced transfer of ethnic Germans from regions of Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary to the Allied occupation zones in Germany. Millions of Germans were displaced, leading to significant human suffering.
4. Demilitarization and Denazification: The Allied Powers agreed to demilitarize Germany and eliminate Nazi influence in all aspects of German society. This involved dismantling Germany's military infrastructure and removing Nazi leaders and supporters from positions of power.
5. Boundaries and Territorial Changes: The Potsdam Agreement outlined new boundaries for Poland and the Soviet Union, resulting in significant territorial changes in Eastern Europe. The city of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) was transferred to the Soviet Union.
6. Council of Foreign Ministers: The meeting established the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), comprising the foreign ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, France, and China. The CFM was responsible for preparing peace treaties with the Axis powers and overseeing the implementation of the Potsdam decisions.
7. The Atomic Bomb: During the conference, President Truman informed Stalin about the recent successful testing of the atomic bomb. This provided the United States with a major strategic advantage in the postwar era and had significant geopolitical implications.
The Potsdam Meeting marked a turning point in international relations as it set the stage for the Cold War, the ideological and political rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union that would dominate global affairs for decades. The decisions made at Potsdam shaped the postwar landscape of Europe and had lasting consequences for geopolitical dynamics, national borders, and the lives of millions of people affected by the war.