Address in Stuttgart by US Secretary of State Byrnes

© LpB Baden-Württemberg US Secretary of State James Francis Byrnes delivievering his speech in Stuttgart (on the podium from left to right: Byrnes, Robert Murphy (Political Advisor), Senator Vandenberg, Senator Connally, General McNarney)

At the Potsdam Conference in the summer of 1945 the victorious powers’ differing viewpoints and goals concerning Germany’s future were already becoming apparent. There was agreement about the reestablishment of a democracy. But perceptions about the concept are wholly different in East and West: Whereas the western Allies support a federalist system with competing parties, free elections and self-administration by communities, the Soviets focus on central administrative centres and the creation of an „anti-Fascist bloc“. By no means is Germany treated as an „economic unity“ as agreed on in Potsdam. So political distrust between East and West increases daily. From Washington’s viewpoint it is time for a new direction: On 6 September 1946 US Secretary of State James Francis Byrnes puts forth in his „Stuttgart Address“ the principles of the United States’ occupation policy in Germany and initiates with this a positive turning point in German-American relations. He makes it clear that the USA will not allow Germany to be transformed into the poor house of Europe and promises comprehensive American aid for reconstruction.