Nobody was like, "Mwahaha, now we will devide Germany into two countries as punishment for doing WWII." The Soviets had occupied the eastern half and the rest of the Allies had occupied the western half and so it was divided along those lines (what else were they going to do, start WWIII over it?). It wasn't because Germany "deserved" it, if anything, the country was treated generously for fear of it going to the other side, and there was an understanding that the harsh conditions imposed after WWI only contributed to Hitler's rise to power in the first place.

[–] Jajcus 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Of course, you are right.

I mean, the punishment was the occupation by forces which won the war. Americans and Russians had to control Germany for some time, as their current government could not continue for obvious reasons. The cruel part was giving control of half of the country to Soviets. BTW, worse was doing the same to Poland, which was victim, not the aggressor in this war, and other countries in similar situation.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Nobody "gave" half the country to the Soviets. The Soviets had the territory because they took it during the war. I'm not sure what you think should've happened, should the US have attacked the USSR immediately after the war over Poland and East Germany and started WWIII?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm sure that was a war plan at that time, to attach the su

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

It was something Patton advocated for but that basically nobody wanted. Everyone had just finished fighting the deadliest conflict in human history and nobody was especially eager to add "so far" to that by starting another one. It was something only the craziest and most aggressive hawks would consider.

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