Role of the Council of Foreign Ministers and principles of participation of Germany, Poland and so-called “small countries” in the preparation of the draft peace treaty with Germany

Abstract

The end of the Second World War necessitated making arrangements as to the future of Germany. The decisions were to be made by the allied countries – winners of the war. In the end, the decisions of the so-called “big four” states were of arbitrary nature, and German officials were not permitted to participate in talks about the future of their country. The years 1945-1947 have brought numerous important resolutions and final settlements, but were also a period of growing disagreement within the victorious coalition. True end of their collaboration came about in 1947, and the matter of Germany became a bargaining chip in the Cold War conflict. The aim of this study is, above all, to present the role of the most important decision-making institution after the war: the Council of Foreign Ministers. The paper also presents the respective positions of the four great powers as to the participation of Germany, Poland and so-called “small countries” in determining the future of Germany.