Allied Control Council

The Allied Control Council was established in 1945 by the victorious Allied powers—the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union—to jointly govern defeated Germany. Following Germany's unconditional surrender, sovereign authority passed to these powers, who divided the country into four occupation zones. Berlin, located within the Soviet zone, was also divided into four sectors under joint four-power authority.12

The Council was intended to exercise overall joint authority over Germany, implementing policies such as demilitarization and denazification. However, irreconcilable differences, particularly over reparations and economic policy, quickly emerged between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies. These disagreements led to the gradual divergence of the occupation zones and ultimately contributed to the formation of two separate German states: West Germany and East Germany. The Council's effectiveness was further hampered by the Soviets' boycott and eventual withdrawal.132