What was the result of the Potsdam Conference?

The
Potsdam Conference was concerned with the reconstruction of war-torn Europe. This proved to be
easier said than done, as there were deep ideological differences between Stalin and his Western
war-time allies. Despite the general air of mutual suspicion and hostility at Potsdam, a number
of common positions were nonetheless agreed upon. As well as the partition of Germany into
allied-run sectors, the formal legal process of dealing with Nazi war criminals was put in
place, which would form the basis of the Nuremberg Trials. In addition, Germany was to be
comprehensively disarmed, and any industry capable of being used for military purposes
dismantled.

However, many of the most contentious issues, such as the status
of post-war Poland, remained unresolved at the Conference's conclusion. Instead, they were
postponed, to be dealt with in due course by a Council of Foreign Ministers. This was a none too
tacit acknowledgment that the Allies were never going to agree with the Soviets on...