How would you answer the following exam question: Why were there disagreements at the Potsdam Conference in 1945? Explain your answer (6 marks- OCR, 2015)

The mark scheme requires that you provide a 'multi-causal response' for you to score full marks. This should mean that you provide two or three reasons why there were disagreements. Also, make sure that it answers the question about why there were disagreements and doesn't just provide a narrative account of the conference.This is an example of a response worthy of full marks:One reason why there were disagreements was that President Truman, who had recently replaced Roosevelt as the United States representative at the conference, was far more hostile towards Stalin and his 'sphere of influence' that he had recently set up in Eastern Europe. This, combined with the fact that that the US had very recently tested an atomic bomb, meant that there was a greater rift created between the two leaders.A second reason for disagreements was over the issue of what should be done about Germany. Truman believed that Germany should not be punished for its actions during WWII, as he did not want to see a repeat of the grievances caused by post-WWI reparations as part of the Treaty of Versailles. However, Stalin believed the exact opposite. He thought that the USSR would greatly benefit if Germany was stripped of its assets, and that this would also ensure Germany could not start another war. This was a crucial issue, yet there was no consensus.