Die Teilung Deutschlands
Die Teilung Deutschlands
Die Abkommen von London (12. September und 14. November 1944)
Agreement between the Allies amending the Protocol of 12 September 1944 (London, 14 November 1944)
TextOn 14 November 1944, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Soviet Union sign an agreement in London amending the Protocol of 12 September 1944 on the Allied zones of occupation and administration in Germany.
Agreement between the Allies on Control Machinery in Germany (London, 14 November 1944)
TextOn 14 November 1944, in London, the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union sign an agreement on Control Machinery in the occupation zones of defeated Germany.
Agreement between the Allies on the occupation zones in Germany (London, 26 July 1945)
TextOn 26 July 1945, in London, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union and the French Provisional Government sign an agreement introducing amendments to the Protocol of 12 September 1944 on the occupation of Germany and the administration of Greater Berlin.
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.
Der Kontrollrat für Deutschland (Berlin, 30. August 1945)
Proclamation No 1 from the Control Council for Germany (Berlin, 30 August 1945)
TextOn 30 August 1945, in Berlin, US General Dwight D. Eisenhower, British General Sir Brian Hubert Robertson, French General Louis Koeltz and Soviet Marshal Georgi Zhukov sign the act establishing the Allied Control Council, which thereby assumes supreme authority over defeated Germany.
Order No 1 from the Control Council for Germany (Berlin, 30 August 1945)
TextOn 30 August 1945, Order No 1 from the Allied Control Council for Germany prohibits demobilised members of the German armed forces from wearing uniforms.
Law No 1 from the Control Council for Germany (Berlin, 30 August 1945)
TextOn 30 August 1945, the Allied Control Council for Germany proclaims Law No 1 in Berlin which repeals the political and discriminatory laws of the defeated Nazi regime.
Der Kontrollrat für Deutschland (Berlin, 30. August 1945)
Conference of the Control Council for Germany (London, 10 September to 2 October 1945)
BildAt its conference held in London from 10 September to 2 October 1945, the Allied Control Council adopts a series of measures on the future of Germany and on the occupation zones to be introduced there.
"Ostkonferenz in Warschau" in Luxemburger Wort (25. Juni 1948)
TextAm 25. Juni 1948 berichtet die luxemburgische Tageszeitung Luxemburger Wort über das Treffen der Außenminister der Sowjetunion und der osteuropäischen Staaten, die die am 1. Juni 1948 von den Westmächten in London gefassten Beschlüsse heftig kritisieren.
Die Besetzung Deutschlands
"Denkt Deutschland an Revanche?" in Luxemburger Wort (29. Juni 1945)
TextKurze Zeit nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg warnt die luxemburgische Tageszeitung Luxemburger Wort seine Leser vor der Gefahr eines möglichen Wiederauflebens der Naziideologie sowie vor der Bedrohung, die von einem erneuten Machtstreben Deutschlands in den darauffolgenden Jahren ausgeht.
"Das Deutschland von morgen" in Le Figaro (5. Dezember 1944)
TextAm 5. Dezember 1944 beschäftigt sich die französische Tageszeitung Le Figaro mit der politischen, wirtschaftlichen und militärischen Zukunft des besiegten Deutschlands.
Note from Winston Churchill to Anthony Eden (4 January 1945)
TextOn 4 January 1945, the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, sends a note to his Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden, on the future of Germany after the end of the Second World War.
Directive to the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Forces of Occupation (10 May 1945)
TextOn 10 May 1945, in a directive to the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Forces of Occupation in Germany, the US Administration outlines the future missions of the military government in Germany.
Allied Declaration Regarding the Defeat of Germany (5 June 1945)
TextOn 5 June 1945, in Berlin, Dwight D. Eisenhower, US General; Georgy Zhukov, Soviet Marshal, Bernard Law Montgomery, British Field Marshal, and Jean-Marie Gabriel de Lattre de Tassigny, French General, adopt a common declaration which lays down the procedure for the disarmament of the German Army.
Instructions from Paul-Henri Spaak to E. de Cartier de Marchienne (7 June 1945)
TextIn this note, Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgian Foreign Minister, informs Émile de Cartier de Marchienne, Belgian Ambassador to London, of the principles and the conditions relating to Belgium’s participation in the Allied military occupation of Germany.
‘The Occupation of Germany' from Le Monde (8 June 1945)
TextOn 8 June 1945, the French daily newspaper Le Monde explains the arrangements made for the occupation of a defeated Germany and describes the four zones of Allied occupation.
Cartoon by Low on the occupation of Germany at the end of the Second World War (26 October 1945)
BildIn October 1945, British cartoonist David Low illustrates Germany’s post-war status and portrays the fears of France and the Soviet Union regarding possible German reunification.
Address given by Charles de Gaulle (Bar-le-Duc, 28 July 1946)
TextOn 28 July 1946, in Bar-le-Duc, General Charles de Gaulle gives an address opposing the reunification of Germany, which he sees as a threat to long-term peace.
Address given by James F. Byrnes (Stuttgart, 6 September 1946)
TextOn 6 September 1946, in an address given in Stuttgart, James F. Byrnes, US Secretary of State, raises the issue of the political and economic future of Germany.
Quadripartite division of Berlin (1946)
BildIn 1946, a sign saying ‘You are entering the American sector …’ in English, Russian and French symbolises the division of the ruined city of Berlin into four sectors.
Cartoon by Low on the merging of the US and British occupation zones in Germany (1 August 1946)
BildOn 1 August 1946, British cartoonist David Low illustrates the desire of the United States and the United Kingdom to merge their respective occupation zones in Germany and portrays Moscow’s opposition to the plan.
Cartoon on the merging of Germany's American and British occupation zones (2 August 1946)
Bild‘Two’s company, but four would be better’. On 2 August 1946, the German daily newspaper Die Welt illustrates Moscow’s displeasure at the prospect of Britain and America merging their occupation zones in Germany on 1 January 1947.
Joint Statement by James F. Byrnes and Ernest Bevin (3 December 1946)
TextOn 3 December 1946, James F. Byrnes, US Secretary of State, and Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary, jointly announce the merger of the American and British occupation zones in Germany with effect from 1 January 1947.
Karikatur von Szewczuk zur Besatzung Deutschlands (1946)
Bild „ Heute – Morgen?“ 1946 fragt der deutsche Karikaturist Mirko Szewczuk nach der politischen Zukunft des besiegten und von den Alliierten besetzten Deutschlands.
Letter from Albert Wehrer to Joseph Bech (Berlin, 12 May 1947)
TextOn 12 May 1947, Albert Wehrer, Head of the Luxembourg military mission to the Allied Control Council in Berlin, describes to Joseph Bech, Luxembourg Foreign Minister, the military situation in Germany following the merger of the American and British occupation zones.
Karikatur von Stig zu den Beziehungen zwischen den vier Alliierten und Deutschland (September 1948)
Bild„Die vier Großmächte und der deutsche Goldfisch“. Im September 1948 spöttelt der deutsche Karikaturist Roland Stigulinszky über das Schicksal des von den vier Besatzungsmächten (Vereinigtes Königreich, Frankreich, USA und Sowjetunion) besiegten Deutschlands. Angesichts des „deutschen“ Goldfischs in seinem Glas stellt der britische Soldat fest: „That’s right, er ist wirklich mager!“. Der französische Soldat hält sich den Finger und jammert: „Sacré nom d’un chien, er hat mich gebissen!“. Der amerikanische GI stellt fest: „Very nice indeed!“! (und legt ihn trocken), und der Sowjetsoldat sagt grinsend: „Charascho, serr gutt!“ und verschlingt den Fisch.
‘Occupation statute or peace treaty?' from the Pravda (3 January 1949)
TextOn 3 January 1949, the Soviet daily newspaper Pravda emphasises the need to conclude a peace treaty with Germany after three and a half years of occupation in order to guarantee peace in Europe.
Cartoon by Opland on the occupation of Germany (15 November 1949)
Bild‘...placed under the tutelage of France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. "As you can see, it seems that we have not really gained any ground."' For Opland, Dutch cartoonist, the Cold War makes any rapid solution to the problem of the partitioning of Germany difficult.
Interview with Edmund Wellenstein: the importance for the Netherlands of the status of defeated Germany after the Second World War (The Hague, 27 August 2009)
VideoIn this interview, Edmund Wellenstein, official in the Private Office of the Queen of the Netherlands from 1947 to 1950 then Head of the ‘Germany’ Division and Director-General for European Affairs in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 1950 and 1952, explains the reasons for the Netherlands’ interest in the arrangements for the reconstruction of Germany after the Second World War.
Die Pariser Konferenz über Deutschland (25. April bis 12. Juli 1946)
French Memorandum presented to the Council of Foreign Ministers (Paris, 25 April 1946)
TextOn 25 April 1946, at the Paris Peace Conference on Germany, the French delegation submits to the Council of Foreign Ministers a memorandum on the separation and reorganisation of control of the territories of the Rhineland, the Ruhr and the Saar.
Die Pariser Konferenz über Deutschland (25. April bis 12. Juli 1946)
Declaration by Georges Bidault (Paris, 10 July 1946)
TextOn 10 July 1946, during the Paris Peace Conference attended by the Council of Foreign Ministers, the French representative, Georges Bidault, outlines France's position on the terms for the occupation of Germany.
Statement by Viacheslav Molotov (Paris, 10 July 1946)
TextOn 10 July 1946, during the Paris meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Soviet representative, Viacheslav Molotov, sets out Moscow's stance on Germany's political, economic and military future.
Departure of James Byrnes for the Paris Peace Conference (27 July 1946)
BildOn 27 July 1946, James Byrnes, US Secretary of State, delivers a speech before flying to France for the Paris Peace Conference.
Conference of the Council of foreign ministers (Paris, 25 April to 12 July 1946)
BildThe conferences of the Council of foreign ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union were held in Paris from April to July 1946. During the talks, it became clear that the Soviet Union had its own ambitions for its occupied zone of Germany.
"Friede und Sicherheit" in Süddeutsche Zeitung (3. Mai 1946)
TextDie deutsche Tageszeitung Süddeutsche Zeitung berichtet über die auf der Pariser Konferenz zur Zukunft des besiegten Deutschlands geführten Debatten, auf der der Außenministerrat der Alliierten zum ersten Mal zusammentrat.
Die Pariser Konferenz über die Reparationen (9. November bis 21. Dezember 1945)
Memorandum from the Belgian Government on losses and damages sustained during the war (Paris, 1 October 1945)
TextOn 1 October 1945, at the Paris Conference on Reparations, the Belgian Government draws up a report which lists the losses and damages sustained by Belgium as a result of the German invasion.
Memorandum relating to Inter-Allied Reparation Agency (15 October 1945)
TextOn 15 October 1945, the French, British and American Governments propose the creation of an Inter-Allied Reparation Agency.
The Paris Conference on Reparations (9 November 1945)
BildOn 9 November 1945, an international conference opened in Paris involving all the States that had been at war with Germany. The purpose of the conference was to determine the amount of reparations payable by Germany following the Second World War.
Statement made by Albert Wehrer (Paris, 15 November 1945)
TextOn 15 November 1945, at the Paris Conference on Reparations, the Luxembourg delegate, Albert Wehrer, sets out the damages sustained by the Grand Duchy during the Second World War.
Statement by James F. Byrnes (12 December 1945)
TextOn 12 December 1945, James F. Byrnes, US Secretary of State, outlines the various measures designed to assist the recovery of the German economy and raises the issue of German war reparations.
Statement made by Albert Wehrer (Paris, 16 December 1945)
TextOn 16 December 1945, at the Paris Conference on Reparations, the Luxembourg delegate Albert Wehrer, expresses his surprise at the small amount of money allocated to Luxembourg as war reparations.
Press release published at the Paris Conference on Reparations (21 December 1945)
TextOn 21 December 1945, the countries participating in the Paris Conference on Reparations publish a press release outlining the tasks of the Inter-Allied Reparations Agency.
Demontage und Reparationenfrage
"Die Reparationenfrage" in Le Monde (25. Juli 1945)
TextAm 25. Juli 1945 beschäftigt sich die französische Tageszeitung Le Monde mit den wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen der Niederlage Hitler-Deutschlands und mit der Frage der von den Alliierten geforderten Kriegsreparationen.
Erklärung von Edwin W. Pauley, Leiter der amerikanischen Delegation bei der interalliierten Reparationskommission (25. August 1945)
TextAuf seiner Rückkehr von einer Reise nach Moskau legt Edwin W. Pauley, amerikanischer Delegationsleiter bei der interalliierten Reparationskommission, am 25. August 1945 die wichtigsten Maßnahmen zur Leistung der deutschen Kriegsreparationen dar.
‘The reasons for the breakdown’ from Le Monde (17 December 1947)
TextOn 17 December 1947, commenting on the failure of the Four-Power Conference in London, the French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses the causes of the disagreement dividing France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States on the question of German reparations.
Note by R. Stinglhamber on the dismantling of the German steelworks (14 February 1949)
TextIn this note, R. Stinglhamber, Adviser to the NATO Secretary-General’s Private Office, describes the position adopted by Belgium on the dismantling of a number of steelworks in West Germany.
Demonstration against the dismantling of German industry (19 August 1949)
BildThe 12 000 employees of the German factory Reichwerke Salzgitter-Watenstedt demonstrate against the order to dismantle industrial installations, which would lead to 6 000 redundancies.
"Für einen Katastrophenfall" in Der Spiegel (25. August 1949)
TextDas deutsche Nachrichtenmagazin Der Spiegel beschreibt die kritische Situation der Arbeiter von Watenstedt-Salzgitter nach der Schließung des Stahlwerks.
Karikatur von Szewczuk zur Demontage in Deutschland (1949)
Bild„Demontage: Keine Sorge – es soll nur der gefährliche Zahn raus!“ Im Jahr 1949 illustriert der Karikaturist Mirko Szewczuk die Auswirkungen der Demontage der deutschen Industrieinfrastrukturen durch die Alliierten auf das Land.
Dismantling in Germany
BildThe dismantling of the IG Farben armaments factory in Kaufbeuren, Bavaria.
Message for Monsieur Schuman from Mr Bevin
TextIn this message to his French counterpart, Robert Schuman, the British Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ernest Bevin, proposes reconsidering the Allies' dismantling policy in the occupied zones.
Harry S. Truman, Mémoires
TextDans ses Mémoires, Harry S. Truman, ancien président des États-Unis, évoque la situation de l'Allemagne en 1945 et décrit les tensions entre les Alliés occidentaux et les Soviétiques à propos des réparations de guerre.
Verurteilung der Kriegsverbrecher
Moscow Declaration on atrocities (1 November 1943)
TextOn 1 November 1943, Franklin D. Roosevelt, US President, Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, and Joseph Stalin, Soviet leader, issue a joint declaration denouncing the war crimes perpetrated by the Nazis.
London Agreement (8 August 1945)
TextAt the end of the Second World War, the Allies set up the International Military Tribunal in order to try the leaders and organisations of Nazi Germany accused of war crimes, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity.
The Nuremberg trial (1945)
BildOn 18 October 1945 , the trial of the principal Nazi war criminals opens in Berlin. It continues in Nuremberg from 20 November the same year.
Indictment presented to the International Military Tribunal (Nuremberg, 18 October 1945)
TextOn 18 October 1945, the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg accuses 24 German political, military and economic leaders of conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Opening address by Robert H. Jackson (Nuremberg, 21 November 1945)
TextOn 21 November 1945, in his opening address, the American Robert H. Jackson, Public Prosecutor at the Nuremberg trial, recalls the historic importance of the trial of Nazi war criminals and lists the charges in detail.
General view of the courtroom at the Nuremberg trial (30 September 1946)
BildGeneral view of the courtroom at the Nuremberg trial on 30 September 1946, on the eve of the verdict handed down by the International Military Tribunal. In the dock, in the first row, the photo shows (from left to right): Hermann Göring, Rudolf Heß, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Wilhelm Keitel, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Alfred Rosenberg, Hans Frank, Wilhelm Frick, Julius Streicher, Walter Funk and Hjalmar Schacht. In the second row: Erich Raeder, Baldur von Schirach, Fritz Sauckel, Alfred Jodl, Franz von Papen, Arthur Seyß-Inquart, Albert Speer, Konstantin von Neurath and Hans Fritsche.
Verdict of the International Military Tribunal (1 October 1946)
TextOn 1 October 1946, the International Military Tribunal, meeting in Nuremberg, delivers its verdict. Of the 22 leaders of Nazi Germany accused of conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity, 12 are sentenced to death, 7 receive prison sentences and 3 are acquitted.
‘Not the end’ from De Volkskrant (1 October 1946)
TextOn 1 October 1946, after the Nuremberg trials, the Dutch daily newspaper De Volkskrant considers the moral and legal consequences of the sentences handed down to the Nazi war criminals.
'The judgment' from Le Figaro (2 October 1946)
TextOn 2 October 1946, the day before the Nuremberg verdict is announced, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro looks at the moral and historical aspect of the trial relating to war crimes, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity.
‘The hangman awaits twelve of those sentenced’ from Il nuovo Corriere della Sera (2 October 1946)
TextOn 2 October 1946, the Italian daily newspaper Il nuovo Corriere della Sera recounts the events of 1 October 1946 when 12 former high-ranking Nazis were sentenced to death by the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg.
‘The verdict of history' from the Pravda (2 October 1946)
TextOn 2 October 1945, the Soviet daily newspaper Pravda comments on the verdicts handed down by the International Military Tribunal which was set up in Nuremberg to try Nazi war criminals.
‘Caste justice’ from Het Parool (2 October 1946)
TextOn 2 October 1946, the Dutch daily newspaper Het Parool comments on the verdict handed down by the International Tribunal in Nuremberg and strongly criticises the acquittal of some leading Nazis.
"Zu milde - zu streng?" in Süddeutsche Zeitung (4. Oktober 1946)
TextAm 4. Oktober 1946 berichtet die deutsche Tageszeitung Süddeutsche Zeitung über das Urteil des Internationalen Militärtribunals von Nürnberg, in dem gegen 12 Nazi-Führer die Todesstrafe verhängt wird.
Gelebte Geschichte: Die Nürnberger Prozesse (RTL, 23. Mai 1961)
TonAm 18. Oktober 1945 wird der Prozess der Hauptkriegsverbrecher des Nationalsozialismus in Berlin eröffnet, der ab dem 20. November in Nürnberg fortgesetzt wird. Nach 406 Verhandlungstagen werden zwölf Todesurteile gefällt.
"Das Internationale Militärtribunal von Nürnberg verurteilte die Hauptkriegsverbrecher der Nazis zum Tod" in Le Monde (1. Oktober 1971)
TextFünfundzwanzig Jahre nach der Urteilsverkündung des Internationlen Militärtribunals von Nürnberg erinnert die französische Tageszeitung Le Monde an den Verlauf des Prozesses, bei dem die Hauptkriegsverbrecher des Naziregimes verurteilt wurden.