WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk Potsdam: New World Order
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Jul 9, 2025 
Giles Milton, a historian and author of 'Checkmate in Berlin,' joins James Holland and Al Murray to dissect the Potsdam Conference's pivotal role in shaping the post-war world. They delve into the emergence of the Marshall Plan and NATO, as well as the ideological rifts that turned former allies into adversaries. The discussion includes the dynamics of Soviet diplomacy under Stalin, the buildup to the Berlin Airlift, and how these tensions laid the groundwork for the Cold War. It's a captivating journey through history's turning points!
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Soviets Host Lavish Potsdam Banquets
- At Potsdam, the Soviets hosted lavish banquets amid Berlin's starvation illustrating their dominance and control.
- Soviet soldiers even looted palace outhouses during the conference preparations, showing raw power and disregard.
Western Berlin's Vulnerability
- Western sectors of Berlin were tiny islands within Soviet-occupied territory, creating logistical dangers.
- Soviets controlled vital railroads and food supplies, leading to future crises like the Berlin Airlift.
Kennan's Containment Insight
- George Kennan's 1946 Long Telegram warned Soviets were untrustworthy and advocated containment policy.
- Kennan noted Soviet power "is impervious to the logic of reason and highly sensitive to the logic of force."
