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POTSDAM Cecilienhof |
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Impressum
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POTSDAM (cc) On a March
19th day trip from Berlin, FSG had the opportunity to visit Cecilienhof Palace,
the site of the Tripartite Conference of Berlin, more commonly known as the
Potsdam Conference of 1945. William II, Germany's last Kaiser, decreed that the
Palace, on which work commenced in 1913, should serve as the permanent resident
of the Crown Prince of Germany. But with World War I prompting a significant
shift in the German political system, Cecilienhof Palace, upon its completion in
1917, became the home of ex-Crown Prince Wilhilm. He, together with his family,
lived in the Palace until they migrated to western Germany in the spring of
1945.
Only a short time after Cecilienhof was vacated, the Allied Powers, the United States, Soviet Union, and Britain, victorious after Germany's unconditional surrender of May 8, agreed to hold a conference in Potsdam to discuss Germany's future and necessary post-war settlements. The conference, with delegations headed by Harry S. Truman, President of the United States, Joseph V. Stalin, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissioners of the USSR, and Winston S. Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain, began on July 17, 1945, at 5:10 PM. Upon recommendation of the other two parties, President Truman chaired the proceedings. Conversations ensued relative to many pertinent topics, the most noteworthy of which included: the eastern border of Poland, the Crimea Declaration on liberated Europe, the reparations to be paid by Germany, and the resettlement of the German population. The conference was adjourned for two days on July 25 so that the British delegation could return to London for the results of England's general election. Clement Attlee was elected Prime Minister and Attlee, who previously served as only an observer at the conference, returned to Potsdam in Churchill's stead as head of the delegation. After much work and particularly grueling but productive sessions on July 31 and August 1, the three sides settled the last of many points, this involving reparations and economic principles which would govern relations with Germany. The Potsdam Agreement was signed by all parties on August 2, 1945, at 12:30 AM. Since that time, Cecilienhof Palace and its grounds have been maintained as a memorial and museum dedicated to the remembrance of this important summit. Our tour included viewings of the Conference Hall, with Truman, Stalin, and Churchill's original chairs, and the studies and work rooms of each respective delegation. This visit was a favorite of FSG members, as it is fondly remembered as the infamous "Tight-Role Day." |
