Potsdam

:This article is about the German city of Potsdam. There is also Potsdam, New York in the United States of America.

History

Potsdam was probably founded in the 10th century as a Slavic village called "Poztupimi", centred on a castle. It was first mentioned in 993, and by 1317 is mentioned as a small (by now German) town, gaining its town charter in 1345. In 1573 it was still a small market town (2000 inhabitants); the Thirty Years War (1618 - 1648) destroyed nearly half the town.

Related Topics:
10th century - Slavic - 993 - 1317 - 1345 - 1573 - Thirty Years War - 1618 - 1648

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Potsdam's fortunes changed dramatically when it was chosen for the hunting residence of Frederick William I, elector of Brandenburg, in 1660. It also housed a Prussian barracks. The city was later also adopted as a residence of the Prussian royal family. The majestic buildings were mainly built during the reign of Frederick the Great. The Sanssouci Palace (in French: "without cares", by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, 1744) is one of these buildings, famed for its formal gardens and Rococo interiors.

Related Topics:
Frederick William I - Elector - 1660 - Prussia - Barracks - Frederick the Great - Sanssouci Palace - Rococo

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While Berlin was the official capital of Prussia and later of the German Empire, the court remained in nearby Potsdam, and many government officials also settled in Potsdam. The city lost this status as a second capital in 1918, when World War I ended and the emperor Wilhelm II was deposed.

Related Topics:
Berlin - German Empire - 1918 - World War I - Wilhelm II

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At the beginning of the Third Reich a ceremonial handshake between President Paul von Hindenburg and the new Chancellor Adolf Hitler took place on 21 March, 1933 in Potsdam's Garnisonskirche (Garrison Church), symbolising a coalition of the military (Reichswehr) and Nazism.

Related Topics:
Third Reich - President - Paul von Hindenburg - Chancellor - Adolf Hitler - 21 March - 1933 - Reichswehr - Nazism

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Potsdam was severely damaged in bombing raids during World War II. The Cecilienhof palace was the scene of the Potsdam Conference from 17 July to 2 August 1945, as the victorious Allied leaders (Harry S. Truman; Winston Churchill followed by Clement Attlee; and Stalin) met to decide the future of Germany.

Related Topics:
World War II - Potsdam Conference - July - August - 1945 - Allied - Harry S. Truman - Winston Churchill - Clement Attlee - Stalin

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Recent history

The government of the GDR endeavoured to erase the symbols of Prussian militarism. Many historic buildings, many of which were badly damaged in the war, were torn down.

Related Topics:
GDR - Militarism

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Potsdam, being to the south-west of Berlin, bordered on West Berlin after the construction of the Berlin Wall. This not only cut it off from West Berlin but also doubled commuting times into East Berlin. The Glienicke bridge across the Havel connected the city to West Berlin, and was the scene of some Cold War exchanges of spies.

Related Topics:
Berlin Wall - Glienicke bridge - Cold War - Spies

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After the German reunification Potsdam became the capital of the newly re-established state of Brandenburg.

Related Topics:
German reunification - Brandenburg

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