Potsdam Declaration. Facts unknown to Russians about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Seventy years ago. Potsdam Declaration Potsdam Declaration

Seventy years ago, on July 26, 1945, as part of the Potsdam Conference, a joint declaration of Great Britain, the United States and China was published, demanding the unconditional surrender of Japan with the threat devastation of the country in case of refusal.

An agreement to use nuclear weapons when ready was reached between Great Britain and the United States in 1944. Please answer, if the USSR had nuclear weapons, would it have used them? I would not have hesitated when the choice was between hundreds of thousands who died on the Seelow Heights or Berlin turned into nuclear ash.

On July 16, 1945, the Americans tested the first bomb in the Alamogordo Desert. On July 24 in Potsdam, Truman informed Stalin about this. He pretended to be a hose, allegedly didn’t understand what he was talking about, but he understood everything and already knew. Klaus Fuchs, Theodor Hall, Georges Koval and David Gringlas worked effectively for Soviet intelligence.

Stalin wished for the successful use of weapons against Japan…

Since Japan did not accept surrender, it was decided to use nuclear weapons. The ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto, was rejected as a target because the American Secretary of War had been there as a young man on his honeymoon.

Declaration on Japan by the Heads of Government of the United States, the United Kingdom and China

1. We, the President of the United States, the President of the National Government of the Republic of China and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, representing hundreds of millions of our countrymen, have conferred and agreed that Japan should be given the opportunity to end this war.

1. The vast land, sea and air forces of the United States, the British Empire and China, reinforced many times over by their troops and air fleets from the West, prepared to deliver the final blows to Japan. This military power is supported and inspired by the determination of all the allied nations to wage war against Japan until she ceases her resistance.
2. The result of Germany's futile and senseless resistance to the power of the rising free peoples of the world stands with terrible clarity as an example to the people of Japan. The mighty forces which are now approaching Japan are immeasurably greater than those which, when applied to the resisting Nazis, naturally devastated the lands, destroyed industry and disrupted the way of life of the entire German people. Full application of our military force, backed by our determination, will mean the inevitable and final destruction of the Japanese armed forces, the equally inevitable complete devastation of the Japanese metropolis.
3. The time has come for Japan to decide whether it will continue to be ruled by those stubborn, militaristic advisers whose foolish calculations brought the Empire of Japan to the brink of destruction, or whether it will follow the path indicated by reason.
4. Our terms and conditions follow. We will not back down from them. There is no choice. We won't tolerate any delay.
5. The power and influence of those who deceived and misled the people of Japan into pursuing the path of worldwide conquest must be eliminated forever, for we firmly believe that new order peace, security and justice will not be possible until irresponsible militarism is driven out of the world.
6. Until such a new order is established, and until there is conclusive evidence that Japan's ability to wage war has been destroyed, points on Japanese territory designated by the Allies will be occupied in order to ensure implementation the main goals we set out here.
7. The terms of the Cairo Declaration will be fulfilled, and Japanese sovereignty will be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such smaller islands as we designate.
8. The Japanese armed forces, once disarmed, would be allowed to return to their homes with the opportunity to lead a peaceful working life.
9. It is not our intention that the Japanese should be enslaved as a race or destroyed as a nation, but all war criminals, including those who committed atrocities against our prisoners, must be severely punished. The Japanese government must remove all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democratic tendencies among the Japanese people. Freedom of speech, religion and thought will be established, as will respect for basic human rights.
10. Japan will be allowed to have such an industry that will support its economy and collect fair reparations in kind, but not those industries, which will allow her to arm herself again for war. For these purposes, access to raw materials, as opposed to controlling them. Japan will eventually be allowed to participate in global trade relations.
11. The Allied occupation forces will be withdrawn from Japan as soon as these objectives have been achieved and as soon as a peaceful and responsible government has been established in accordance with the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.

13. We call upon the Government of Japan to now proclaim the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces and to give proper and sufficient assurances of their good intentions in this matter. Otherwise, Japan will face a quick and complete defeat.

Harry S. Truman
Winston Churchill
President of China
(via telegraph)

If anyone has forgotten, let me remind you that the Japanese entered World War II not only with a raid on a military base in Pearl Harbor, and there were also residential areas that were bombed, but also with massacres in Singapore and Manila. Before that there was a massacre in Nanjing (China).

In the Kwantung Army stationed in China, experiments were carried out with bacteriological weapons on the Chinese, Koreans, Russians...

An ultimatum was presented and rejected. On August 6, the Baby bomb fell on Hiroshima. According to various estimates, 90-166 thousand people died. During the bombing of Dresden with conventional bombs in 1945, 25 thousand people died, Hamburg in 1943 - 45 thousand people, Tokyo in 1945 - more than 80 thousand people. The numbers are comparable, we note.

Many in the West still condemn the bombing of residential areas. But. When World War II began, the British Air Force was under orders not to bomb residential areas. It was canceled after the Germans bombed Rotterdam on May 15, 1940. And after Coventry...

By the way, they often talk about the disproportionate representation of Jews in many areas of activity. Banking, for example. Why is this so, I wrote. But. There was also a disproportionate presence of Jews in the British and American air forces. They went there to fight Hitler, to avenge their fellow tribesmen, perhaps relatives, who were burned in the gas chambers...

And bombings and shelling of cities with civilian populations... During wars they were, are and will be. Soviet troops and bombed and shelled Soviet cities when German troops were in them. At the Lukyanovsky cemetery in Kyiv there is a mass grave for those killed during the air raid on May 11, 1943.

From the Belarusian site:“Minsk was severely destroyed during the Second World War. The city suffered both from the Nazi invaders and from the Red Army that liberated it. Many buildings and neighborhoods were destroyed by bombs dropped from Soviet aircraft during the fascist occupation, as well as during offensive operation July 3, 1944. This destruction was later credited to the Nazis and included in the reparations bill." .

Rzhev, occupied by the Germans, was almost completely destroyed by fire, which the Red Army tried to recapture for a year and a half, the so-called “Rzhev meat grinder.” I'm not even talking about the bombing of not quite “our” Tallinn, Rezekne, cities of Poland, which, by the way, did not fight on Hitler’s side, unlike the Hungarians, Bulgarians, Romanians, and Slovaks.

I recently read an interview with the curator of the Pushkin State Museum, where the Catherine Palace is. She honestly says that after the war no one investigated the reasons for the destruction of Pushkin’s architectural monuments, but there are German photos that during the Germans’ stay in the city they were in relatively normal condition. I. Pushkin was occupied by the Germans on September 17, 1941, and part of the Catherine Palace was destroyed by an air bomb on September 29.

So “ À la guerre comme à la guerre ».

The same applies to the relationship between Israel and Hamas, the legitimate Ukrainian government and “miners and tractor drivers.” A retaliatory strike is delivered to the place where the missile or projectile came from. The one who places artillery in residential areas commits meanness.

After the bombing of Hiroshima, Truman made a statement: « We are now ready to destroy, even faster and more completely than before, all Japanese land-based production facilities in any city. We will destroy their docks, their factories and their communications. Let there be no misunderstanding—we will completely destroy Japan's ability to wage war.

It was with the aim of preventing the destruction of Japan that the ultimatum of July 26 was issued in Potsdam. Their leadership immediately rejected his terms. If they do not accept our terms now, let them expect a rain of destruction from the air, the likes of which have never been seen on this planet».

On August 8, the USSR government made a statement:

After the defeat and surrender of Nazi Germany Japan was the only great power still in favor of continuing the war..

The demand of the three powers - the United States of America, Great Britain and China - on July 26 of this year for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces was rejected by Japan. Thus, the proposal of the Japanese Government to the Soviet Union for mediation in the war on Far East loses all ground.

Considering Japan's refusal to capitulate, the allies turned to the Soviet Government with a proposal to join the war against Japanese aggression and thereby shorten the time frame for ending the war, reduce the number of casualties and promote the speedy restoration of world peace.

True to its allied duty, the Soviet Government accepted the allies' proposal and joined the Statement of the Allied Powers on July 26 of this year.

The Soviet Government believes that such a policy is the only means capable of hastening the onset of peace, freeing peoples from further sacrifices and suffering and enabling the Japanese people to get rid of the dangers and destruction that Germany experienced after its refusal to unconditionally surrender.

In view of the above, the Soviet Government declares that from tomorrow, that is, from August 9, the Soviet Union will consider itself in a state of war with Japan.

Since there is no response from Japan, August 9 nuclear bomb falls on Nagasaki, 60 to 80 thousand dead. New goals were outlined. The USSR begins its defeat Kwantung Army in China.

The Emperor had spoken out in favor of peace negotiations since June, but the Minister of Defense and the generals hoped to negotiate more favorable terms of surrender, so that it would be possible to agree with the USSR not to enter the war.

They also hoped that when the invasion of the islands began, and the Americans would suffer heavy losses, they would agree to a more favorable peace.

These hopes did not come true; the USSR entered the war on August 9 and within two weeks defeated the Kwantung Army in China.

The Americans planned to accompany them with subsequent nuclear strikes, and there were several more bombs on the way, a landing operation on the islands. According to experts, a landing without the use of nuclear weapons could cost the lives of about a million American soldiers.

Therefore, from the point of view of minimizing the losses of one’s soldiers, its use was justified .

After dropping the bomb on Nagasaki and the entry of the USSR into the war, Japan handed over its much more relaxed terms of surrender to the Allies.

Emperor Hirohito signed a statement of surrender on August 14, in which he wrote: “...The enemy has a terrible new weapon at its disposal, capable of claiming many innocent lives and causing immeasurable material damage. If we continue to fight, it will not only lead to the collapse and destruction of the Japanese nation, but also to the complete disappearance of human civilization.

In such a situation, how can we save millions of our subjects or justify ourselves before the sacred spirit of our ancestors? For this reason, we ordered the terms of the joint declaration of our opponents to be accepted».

Although debate about the advisability of using nuclear weapons in the West continues to this day, it is obvious that it was nuclear bombing that forced Japan to capitulate.

(Declaration of the Three Powers - America, England and China)

July 26, 1945... 13.

We call upon the Government of Japan to now proclaim the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces and to give proper and sufficient assurances of their good intentions in this matter. Otherwise, Japan will face a quick and complete defeat.

(Statement of the Soviet Government)

The neutrality pact between the Soviet Union and Japan was concluded on April 13, 1941, i.e. before Germany attacked the USSR and before the outbreak of war between Japan, on the one hand, and England and the United States of America, on the other,

Since then, the situation has changed radically. Germany attacked the USSR, and Japan, an ally of Germany, helps the latter in its war against the USSR. In addition, Japan is at war with the USA and England, which are allies Soviet Union.

In this situation, the Neutrality Pact between Japan and the USSR lost its meaning, and the extension of this Pact became impossible.

In view of the above and in accordance with Article 3 of the said Pact, which provides for the right of denunciation one year before the expiration of the five-year term of the Pact, the Soviet Government hereby declares to the Government of Japan its desire to denounce the Pact of April 13, 1941.

The Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Sato, promised to bring the statement of the Soviet government to the attention of the Japanese government. "Pravda" dated April 6, 1945

FROM THE STATEMENT OF THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT ON THE BEGINNING OF WAR WITH MILITARIST JAPAN

After the defeat and surrender Hitler's Germany Japan turned out to be the only great power that still stands for continuing the war.

The demand of the three powers - the United States of America, Great Britain and China on July 26 of this year for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces was rejected by Japan. ... the allies turned to the Soviet government with a proposal to join the war against Japanese aggression...

True to his duty as an ally. The Soviet government accepted the allies' proposal and joined the statement of the allied powers on July 26 of this year. ...

The Soviet government declares that from tomorrow, that is, from August 9. The Soviet Union will consider itself at war with Japan,

Japanese Surrender Act

September 2, 1945

1. We, acting by order and on behalf of the Emperor, the Japanese Government and the Japanese Imperial General Staff, hereby accept the terms of the declaration published on July 26 in Potsdam by the heads of government of the United States, China and Great Britain, to which the USSR subsequently acceded...

2. We hereby declare our unconditional surrender...

8. The power of the Emperor and the Japanese government to govern the state will be subordinate to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers...

Reader on modern history T. II. 1939-1945. pp. 130-140

70 years ago, the allied countries of the United States, England and China announced an ultimatum to the Japanese government, which is known as the “Potsdam Declaration” - a statement defining the terms and conditions of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
If the conditions of the allied countries are not met, the text of the declaration said, Japan will be “quickly and absolutely destroyed” (literally “if Japan did not surrender, it would face “prompt and utter destruction”)

For Japan, the following requirements were put forward:

1. removal from control and influence of those who deceived and led the people of Japan to conquer other countries (“for all time of the authority and influence of those who have deceived and misled the people of Japan into embarking on world conquest”)

2. Occupation of those places in Japan that will be designated by the Allies (USA, England, China) (the occupation of “points in Japanese territory to be designated by the Allies”)
3. Limitation of Japanese territory to the islands of Honshu, Hokaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and small islands designated by the Allies, as announced in the Cairo Declaration of 1943. (“Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and such minor islands as we determine,” as had been announced in the Cairo Declaration in 1943.)

3. The Japanese military, after they surrender their weapons, will be allowed to return home to a peaceful life.
that “the Japanese military forces, after being completely disarmed, shall be permitted to return to their homes with the opportunity to lead peaceful and productive lives.”

4. That “we are not trying to enslave the Japanese or destroy them as a people, but the law must punish all who committed war crimes, including those against prisoners.
“we do not intend that the Japanese shall be enslaved as a race or destroyed as a nation, but stern justice shall be meted out to all war criminals, including those who have visited cruelties upon our prisoners.”

On July 28, 1945, the Japanese government rejected the demands of the Potsdam Declaration. On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States is subjected to atomic bombing Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

On August 14, Japan surrendered and accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration; on September 2, 1945, the act of surrender of Japan was signed.

Most of these facts are not known to the Russian-speaking population of the world, just as residents of the “socialist countries” were taught in schools a completely different history, distorted in attempts to denigrate the United States and justify the actions of the USSR in annexing territories in the Far East.

'Now. when the Emperor accepted the Potsdam Declaration, we are obliged to lay down our arms. Following the Emperor's orders, we must stop fighting. We must support peace and not create any problems.

According to the author, it was the “Potsdam Declaration” that determined not only the grounds for atomic attacks, but also shows that it was general solution allied countries fighting against Japan. Which is very important for understanding World War 2 and the role of the United States.

The animated map clearly shows what vast territories were captured by Japan, and at the time of the adoption of the Poddam Declaration - the territory of the Empire from New Zealand, Vietnam, Northern China, Oceania - all these rich resources were in the hands of the Japanese. The map clearly shows the lie about “Japan ready to surrender even without atomic bombs”

Text of the Potsdam Declaration from WIki-scada in Russian.

Declaration on Japan by the Heads of Government of the United States, the United Kingdom and China[edit]
We, the President of the United States, the President of the National Government of the Republic of China and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, representing hundreds of millions of our countrymen, have conferred and agreed that Japan should be given the opportunity to end this war.
The vast land, sea and air forces of the United States, the British Empire and China, reinforced many times over by their troops and air fleets from the West, prepared to deliver the final blows against Japan. This military power is supported and inspired by the determination of all the allied nations to wage war against Japan until she ceases her resistance.
The result of Germany's fruitless and senseless resistance to the power of the rising free peoples of the world stands with terrible clarity as an example to the people of Japan. The mighty forces which are now approaching Japan are immeasurably greater than those which, when applied to the resisting Nazis, naturally devastated the lands, destroyed industry and disrupted the way of life of the entire German people. Full application our military strength, backed by our determination, will mean the inevitable and final destruction of the Japanese armed forces, the equally inevitable complete devastation of the Japanese mother country.
The time has come for Japan to decide whether it will continue to be ruled by those stubborn, militaristic advisers whose foolish calculations brought the Empire of Japan to the brink of destruction, or whether it will follow the path indicated by reason.
Our terms and conditions follow. We will not back down from them. There is no choice. We will not tolerate any delay.
The power and influence of those who have deceived and misled the people of Japan into pursuing the path of worldwide conquest must be eliminated forever, for we firmly believe that a new order of peace, security and justice will not be possible as long as irresponsible militarism does not exist. expelled from the world.
Until such a new order is established, and until there is conclusive evidence that Japan's ability to wage war has been destroyed, points on Japanese territory which are designated by the Allies will be occupied in order to ensure implementation the main goals we set out here.
The terms of the Cairo Declaration will be fulfilled and Japanese sovereignty will be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such smaller islands as we specify.
The Japanese armed forces, once disarmed, would be allowed to return to their homes with the opportunity to lead a peaceful working life.
We do not seek to see the Japanese enslaved as a race or destroyed as a nation, but all war criminals, including those who committed atrocities against our prisoners, must be severely punished. The Japanese government must remove all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democratic tendencies among the Japanese people. Freedom of speech, religion and thought will be established, as will respect for basic human rights.
Japan will be allowed to have such industries as will enable her to maintain her economy and exact fair reparations in kind, but not those industries which will enable her to arm herself again for war. For these purposes, access to raw materials will be allowed, as opposed to control over them. Japan will eventually be allowed to participate in global trade relations.
The Allied occupation forces will be withdrawn from Japan as soon as these objectives have been achieved and as soon as a peaceful and responsible government has been established in accordance with the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.
We call upon the Government of Japan to now proclaim the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces and to give due and sufficient assurances of their good intentions in this matter. Otherwise, Japan will face a quick and complete defeat.

Stalin V.I., Molotov V.M., Vyshinsky A.Ya. and other members of the Soviet delegation during the meeting of the Potsdam Conference.

Statement by the Heads of Government of the United States, United Kingdom and China

(Potsdam Declaration)

1. We, the President of the United States, the President of the National Government of the Republic of China and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, representing hundreds of millions of our countrymen, have consulted and agreed that Japan should be given the opportunity to end this war.

2. The vast land, sea and air forces of the United States, the British Empire and China, reinforced many times over by their troops and air fleets from the West, prepared to deliver the final blows against Japan. This military power is supported and inspired by the determination of all the allied nations to wage war against Japan until she ceases her resistance.

3. The result of Germany's futile and senseless resistance to the power of the rising free peoples of the world stands with terrible clarity as an example to the people of Japan. The mighty forces which are now approaching Japan are immeasurably greater than those which, when applied to the resisting Nazis, naturally devastated the lands, destroyed industry and disrupted the way of life of the entire German people. The full application of our military force, backed by our determination, will mean the inevitable and final destruction of the Japanese armed forces, the equally inevitable complete devastation of the Japanese mother country.

4. The time has come for Japan to decide whether it will continue to be ruled by those stubborn militaristic advisers whose foolish calculations brought the Japanese Empire to the brink of destruction, or whether it will follow the path indicated by reason.

5. Below are our terms and conditions. We will not back down from them. There is no choice. We will not tolerate any delay.

6. The power and influence of those who deceived and misled the people of Japan into pursuing the path of worldwide conquest must be eliminated forever, for we firmly believe that a new order of peace, security and justice will not be possible as long as irresponsible militarism will not be driven out of the world.

7. Until such a new order is established, and until there is conclusive evidence that Japan's ability to wage war has been destroyed, points on Japanese territory which are designated by the Allies will be occupied in order to to ensure the implementation of the main goals that we set out here.

8. The terms of the Cairo Declaration will be fulfilled and Japanese sovereignty will be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such smaller islands as we specify.

9. The Japanese armed forces, after they are disarmed, will be allowed to return to their homes with the opportunity to lead a peaceful and working life.

10. It is not our intention that the Japanese should be enslaved as a race or destroyed as a nation, but all war criminals, including those who committed atrocities against our prisoners, must be severely punished. The Japanese government must remove all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democratic tendencies among the Japanese people. Freedom of speech, religion and thought will be established, as will respect for basic human rights.

11. Japan will be allowed to have such industries as will enable her to maintain her economy and exact fair reparations in kind, but not those industries which will enable her to arm herself again for war. For these purposes, access to raw materials will be allowed, as opposed to control over them. Japan will eventually be allowed to participate in global trade relations.

12. The Allied occupation forces will withdraw from Japan as soon as these objectives have been achieved and as soon as a peaceful and responsible government has been established in accordance with the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.

13. We call on the Government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces and to give due and sufficient assurances of their good intentions in this matter. Otherwise, Japan will face a quick and complete defeat.

Source: "Collection of current treaties, agreements and conventions concluded by the USSR with foreign powers", issue XI, M., 1955, pp. 104-106

Here is published from the book: V.K. Zilanov, A.A. Koshkin, I.A. Latyshev, A.Yu. Plotnikov, I.A. Senchenko. Russian Kuriles: history and modernity. Collection of documents on the history of the formation of the Russian-Japanese and Soviet-Japanese border. Moscow. 1995.

J.V. Stalin, G. Truman and W. Churchill. Potsdam. July 1945

Comment

Potsdam Declaration 1945, published in Potsdam on July 26 on behalf of the United States, England and China; demanded the unconditional surrender of Japan. The P. d. set out the basics. political principles of a peace settlement with Japan: eradication of militarism; removal from power of the perpetrators of aggression and severe punishment of the military. criminals; removal of all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democracy in the country. trends, the introduction of freedom of speech, press, religion, respect for fundamental human rights; prohibition of military economic sectors; provided for the temporary occupation of Japan; limitation of its sovereignty over the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and some other smaller islands; Japanese disarmament army. One of the articles contained a promise from the Allies to withdraw all occupiers. troops from Japan after creating a peaceful, democratic country. pr-va, expressing the will of the Japanese. people. At the same time, Japan was given a stern warning that if the allies’ demands were rejected, it would face “quick and complete defeat.”

Aug 8 1945 The USSR announced its official accession to the P. D., and from August 9. about the state of war with Japan. Sov. The government was guided by loyalty to its allied duty, the desire to accelerate the onset of universal peace and the liberation of peoples enslaved by Japan. It also took into account that Japan openly helped Nazi Germany in its predatory war against the USSR and threatened the security of its borders in the Far East. Opening of Sov. Military Union actions against Japan in Manchuria put it in a catastrophic situation. position. After this, Japanese The rulers tried to accept P. d., but with reservations favorable to themselves, which, however, were rejected by the allies. Aug 14 Japan announced the adoption of the P.D., but the Kwantung Army in Manchuria continued to resist the Soviets. to the troops. Crushing blows of owls. troops, their rapid advance deep into Manchuria, landings in Korea, in the South. Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, the complete defeat of the Kwantung Army forced the Japanese. troops surrender. 2 Sep. 1945 Japan signed an act of unconditional surrender, thus accepting all the requirements of the P.D. and pledging to fulfill them. With the surrender of Japan, World War II ended. The United States, which occupied Japan, grossly violated the principles of P.D. One example of this is the one they imposed on Japan in September. 1951 so-called a “security treaty” that gave the United States the unlimited right to retain its troops against the Japanese. territories. Nevertheless, many provisions of the P.D., thanks to the persistent demands of the USSR and under pressure from the world democratic movement. public were implemented, which had a positive impact on the post-war. political development life in Japan.

M. E. Monique.

Materials from the Soviet Military Encyclopedia in 8 volumes, volume 6 were used.

Publication:

Foreign policy of the Soviet Union during the period Patriotic War. T. 3. M., 1947, p. 334-335, 362-363.

Literature:

History of diplomacy. Ed. 2nd. T. 4. M., 1975, p. 716-729, 732-736;

International relations and foreign policy of the USSR. M., 1976, p. 110-111;

International relations in the Far East in the post-war years. T. 1 (1945 - 1957). M., 1978, p. 91 - 112.

POTSDAM DECLARATION of 1945 - a declaration containing a demand for the unconditional surrender of Japan, one of the participants in the fascist bloc in the 2nd World War of 1939-1945; published in Potsdam on July 26 during the Potsdam Conference of 1945 on behalf of the heads of government of Great Britain, the United States and China, who were at war with Japan. The Potsdam Declaration, which had an ultimatum character, provided for: the elimination of the power and influence of the militarists in Japan; occupation of Japanese territory; implementation of the Declaration of the Governments of the USA, Great Britain and China adopted at the Cairo Conference of 1943, and the limitation of Japanese sovereignty to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku; punishment of war criminals; the removal of all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democratic traditions in the country, the transfer of the Japanese economy to a peaceful footing, etc. The Declaration demanded that the Japanese government immediately proclaim the surrender of all Japanese armed forces. The leaders of the United States, Great Britain and China stated that they would not deviate from the surrender conditions presented. While establishing the need for the occupation of Japanese territory, the authors of the Potsdam Declaration simultaneously stated that the Allied occupation forces would be withdrawn from Japan as soon as a series of demilitarization measures had been implemented in that country and a peaceful and responsible government had been established in accordance with the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.

August 8, 1945 Soviet government, true to its allied duty, acceded to the Potsdam Declaration with the aim of hastening the onset of peace, freeing peoples from further sacrifices and suffering and enabling the Japanese people to get rid of the dangers and destruction that Germany experienced after its refusal of unconditional surrender. The Japanese government rejected the demands of the Potsdam Declaration, hoping to achieve peace conditions that would ensure the preservation of the foundations of the Japanese militaristic state. However, the entry of the Soviet Union into the war against Japan on August 9, 1945 destroyed these plans. On August 14, the Japanese government announced its acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. However, the Japanese government gave the order to the armed forces to cease resistance only after new attacks Soviet Army. On September 2, 1945, Japan signed an instrument of surrender, which obligated the Japanese government and its successors to “fairly implement the terms of the Potsdam Declaration.”

V. L. Israelyan. Moscow.

Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 11. PERGAMUS - RENUVEN. 1968.

Publications:

Foreign policy of the Soviet Union during the Patriotic War, vol. 3, (M.), 1947, p. 334-35, 362-66.