Surrender, Occupation and Division of Germany

---

"The United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall possess supreme authority with respect to Germany. In the exercise of such authority they will take such steps, including the complete dismemberment of Germany as they deem requisite for future peace and security." 
-Article 12-a of the surrender terms for Germany, as agreed upon during the Yalta conference

Upon the conclusion of World War II, the defeated Germany was split into four ‘allied occupation zones’, as determined by Allied peace conferences in Yalta and Potsdam. Through the conferences, Germany was effectively divided, with the eastern portion of the country being given to the Soviet Union and the western portion of the country going to the United States, Great Britain, and eventually France.

"Germany...will, for the purposes of occupation, be divided into four zones, one to be allotted to each power as follows:
an eastern zone to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;
a north-western zone to the United Kingdom;
a south-western zone to the United States of America;
a western zone to France." -Excerpt from the Allied Statement on Zones of Occupation in Germany, June 5, 1945

Map outlining the occupation zones of Germany and its capital, the city of Berlin (Passport-Collector.com).

The city of Berlin, although located within Soviet territory, was divided respectively.

The representatives attending the Yalta and Potsdam conferences also agreed upon a demilitarized, disarmed and reconstructed Germany that would be rendered incapable of rising to its former strength to threaten European peace and security again.

"The purposes of the occupation of Germany...are the complete disarmament and demilitarization of Germany and the elimination or control of all German industry that could be used for military production." 
-Excerpt from the Protocol of Proceedings of the Potsdam Conference

---