What was one of the main differences between the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences?

The focus on peace treaties concerning Germany makes the distinction between the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences clear. While both meetings were crucial in determining the post-World War II landscape, the Potsdam Conference, held later in July-August 1945, specifically addressed the terms for the Germans' future, including the formalities concerning their surrender and reconstruction after the war. This aspect was central given the shifting dynamics in Europe and the late-stage considerations surrounding Germany’s fate post-defeat.

In contrast, the earlier Yalta Conference (February 1945) primarily concentrated on broader military strategies and the reorganization of post-war Europe, dealing with the big picture regarding the spheres of influence among the Allied powers. Thus, the focus on the German situation at Potsdam represents a significant thematic evolution in the wartime discussions as the context and conditions had changed significantly by mid-1945.