Die Potsdamer Konferenz (17. Juli bis 2. August 1945)
Main entrance of the Cecilienhof Palace in Potsdam (13 July 1945)
BildMain entrance of the Cecilienhof Palace in Potsdam, where the Conference of the ‘Big Three’ leaders of the United States (Harry S. Truman), the United Kingdom (Winston Churchill, succeeded by Clement Attlee) and the Soviet Union (Joseph Stalin) was held with a view, in particular, to determine the fate of a defeated Germany.
'The Potsdam Conference' from Le Monde (14 July 1945)
TextOn 14 July 1945, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the political and territorial implications of the Potsdam Conference.
‘Potsdam' from The Guardian (17 July 1945)
TextOn 17 July 1945, the British left-wing daily newspaper The Manchester Guardian describes the mutual distrust which has arisen between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.
Opening of the Potsdam Conference (17 July 1945)
BildThe Potsdam Conference opens on 17 July 1945. American President Harry S. Truman takes over from Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died on 12 April that year; and, on 28 July, Clement Attlee, victorious in the recent British general elections, replaces Winston Churchill.
The Potsdam Conference (17 July to 2 August 1945)
BildThe leaders of the three Great Powers (from left to right: Clement Attlee, Harry S. Truman and Joseph Stalin) attend the Potsdam Conference, held from 17 July to 2 August 1945.
Conference table at the Potsdam Conference (17 July to 2 August 1945)
BildMeeting in Potsdam from 17 July to 2 August 1945, delegations from the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union discuss the fate of Germany and the shape of post-war Europe.
Clement Attlee's election victory (London, 28 July 1945)
BildWinston Churchill was defeated in the general elections held on 26 July 1945 and stepped down as leader of the British Government. Labour MP Clement Attlee replaced him and, two days later, continued the discussions with the United States and the Soviet Union in Potsdam on the future of Germany.
'Potsdam' from The Manchester Guardian (3 August 1945)
TextOn 3 August 1945, the British daily newspaper The Manchester Guardian casts a critical eye over the outcome of the Potsdam Conference.
‘No break-up of Germany’ from Het Parool (4 August 1945)
TextOn 4 August 1945, the day after the Potsdam Conference, the Dutch daily newspaper Het Parool outlines the principal measures taken against Germany and outlines the establishment of a Council of Foreign Ministers.
‘The unofficial French reaction' from Combat (4 August 1945)
TextOn 4 August 1945, the French daily newspaper Combat presents the impressions of the French diplomatic world concerning the outcome of the Potsdam Conference.
Address broadcast by US President Harry S. Truman (9 August 1945)
TextOn 9 August 1945, in a radio broadcast, Harry S. Truman, US President, presents a report on the Potsdam Conference and the main decisions taken there.
James F. Byrnes, In aller Offenheit
TextIn seinen Memoiren erinnert sich der amerikanische Außenminister, James F. Byrnes, an die langwierigen Verhandlungen mit der Sowjetunion über die Frage der deutschen Kriegsentschädigungsleistungen während der Potsdamer Konferenz vom 17. Juli 1945 bis 2. August 1945.
Harry S. Truman, Mémoires
TextDans ses Mémoires, l'ancien président américain Harry S. Truman livre ses impressions sur la menace d'expansion soviétique au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale telle qu'il l'a ressentie au lendemain de la Conférence de Potsdam.
"Ende des Traums von einer Einigung mit Stalin" in Le Monde (22. Juli 1985)
TextDie Potsdamer Konferenz vom 17. Juli bis 2. August 1945 ist von den ersten Spannungen zwischen der UdSSR und den Vereinigten Staaten geprägt, vor allem während der Verhandlungen über die Besatzung des besiegten Deutschlands.
Note on the Potsdam Conference from an unattributed source in the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1946)
TextA note dated 1946 from an unattributed source inside the Belgian Foreign Ministry appraises the economic consequences of the Potsdam Conference and of the Allied occupation of a defeated Germany.