Germany (1945-1948)

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Germany after the end of the Second World War, answering the question of whether Germany would fall predominantly under Western or Soviet influence. It looks at how neither side trusted the other sufficiently to cooperate in constructing a German state which threatened neither of them. It analyzes the policy conflicts and the underlying events from the perspectives offered by different interpretations of them by traditional, realist, revisionist and neo-revisionist schools of thought.

Outline
Wartime Decisions of the Big Three on Germany
First Serious Disagreements (1945-1946)
Intensification of the Struggle (1947-1948)
Contributions of Revisionists and Neo-Revisionists
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Right after the Pearl Harbor attack, FDR assured British Prime Minister Winston Churchill that the United States gave first priority to defeating Germany (Powaski 50). By vetoing British plans for invasion through the Balkans, in favor of a cross-channel attack which could not be mounted until 1944, FDR effectively ensured, said Solsten, that the Red Army would occupy East Germany (76). At the same time, FDR was unwilling to discuss post-war plans until 1943 in part because of the traditional American aversion to spheres of influence and his belief that the Four Policemen (America, Britain, Russia and possibly China) could maintain world order under a system of collective security within the framework of a United Nations, a carryover of Wilsonian idealism. FDR placed great faith in his ability to win Stalin's trust and to obtain Soviet postwar cooperation."

More papers on Germany (1945-1948):

• Research Paper # 15486 : "Relations With Post-War Germany, 1945-1948"
• Analytical Essay # 130496 : "Social Situation and Germany: 1945-1949"
• Term Paper # 100268 : "Germany: 1945 to 1949"

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