Key Topic 3 - Potsdam, the Soviet
Zone, Consolidation of Communism
and the Division of Germany
The Potsdam Conference
The allies agreed to divide Germany into 4 zones at Yalta
in February 1945. HOWEVER, there were disagreements
between Russia and the other allies regarding boundaries
and reparations. This led to the formation of a divided
Germany in the long term
WHAT WAS AGREED?
1. Germany was to be put under joint Allied control and was to be divided
into 4 zones of occupation, the same went for Berlin 2. Germany was to be
demilitarised, de-Nazified and democratised 3. Local government elections
were to be held, so that Germany could 'rebuild its life on a democratic and
peaceful basis' 4. Poland was given much of former German land 5.
Economy - run as one unit, and each force was to take reparations from their
zone 6. As the soviets had fewer resources, they were allowed an additional
25% of reparations from the British and American zones
The Soviet Zone
Demilitarisation - German
military forces - disbanded
after surrender in May 1945.
No German government -
no independent German
military - remained until
1955
De-Nazification - Nazi party banned. Criminals
tried at Nuremburg. Soviet zone imprisoned large
numbers of former Nazis. Later 'nominal' Nazis
converted to communism - returned to political life.
The soviets argued that Nazism resulted from
capitalism and therefore, it should be destroyed: 1)
large landed estates were to be confiscated and
redistributed among labourers 2) Former Nazis'
property taken away; some kept by state 3) some
equipment dismantled taken back to Russia as
reparations 4) Some equipment dismantled - taken
back to Russia as reparations
Democratisation - German Communists, led by
Ulbricht, arrived in Berlin at the end April 1945.
Planned to gain control in Berlin, but gave the
appearance of democracy. ALL PARTIES were
brought together in an anti-fascist bloc (or National
Front) against Nazism in July 1945.
The KPD was established, shortly followed by the SPD. These merged in 1946 to form the
Socialist Unity Party (SED). The SPD didn't trust the Communists but they agreed in an attempt
to influence policy.
Liberal parties also merged to form the
Liberal Democratic Party of Germany
(LDPD)... The Catholic Centre Party and the
Protestant parties formed the Christian
Democratic Union (CDU). AT FIRST, IT
APPEARED THAT THE COMMUNISTS
WERE TAKING A DEMOCRATIC
APPROACH.
The Consolidation of Communism -
SED was the leading communist party
in the East and was led by Ulbricht.
Property of Nazis and war criminals -
confiscated