WWII+Research+and+Symposium+MHNY

__**Insisting on Unconditional Surrender of the Axis Powers was necessary in World War 2**__

__**Primary Sources**__

Unconditional Surrender of Japan (1945) Japan September 2, 1945 We hereby command all Japanese forces wherever situated and the Japanese people to cease hostilities forthwith, to preserve and save from damage all ships, aircraft, and military and civil property and to comply with all requirements which may be imposed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers or by Agencies of the Japanese Government at his direction. We hereby command the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters to issue at once orders to the Commanders of all Japanese forces and all forces under Japanese control wherever situated to surrender unconditional ly themselves and all forces under their control.
 * This tells how the Allied Nations were giving orders to Japan. In a way Japan had to give up its entire country. The navy, military and all armed forces were under the Allied Powers' control. The Allied Nations were commanding Japan's entire government. Japan had absolutely no control after they were forced to surrender unconditionally.

Germany's Surrender in World War II (1945) From: Harry S. Truman Library, p. 1857-1859 May 7, 1945 ACT OF MILITARY SURRENDER The German High Command will at once issue orders to all German military, naval and air authorities and to all forces under German control to cease active operations at 2301 hours Central European time on 8 May and to remain in the positions occupied at that time. No ship, vessel, or aircraft is to be scuttled, or any damage done to their hull, machinery or equipment.
 * This tells the conditions of Germany's surrender. They had to stop all the activity of their air and naval forces. If they followed these guidelines none of their property would be damaged. They put this into action on May 8th. The Allied Nations had complete influence over Germany during this situation.

YALTA AGREEMENT We have agreed on common policies and plans for enforcing the unconditional surrender terms which we shall impose together on Nazi Germany after German armed resistance has been finally crushed. These terms will not be made known until the final defeat of Germany has been accomplished. Under the agreed plan, the forces of the three powers will each occupy a separate zone of Germany. Coordinated administration and control has been provided for under the plan through a central control commission consisting of the Supreme Commanders of the three powers with headquarters in Berlin. It has been agreed that France should be invited by the three powers, if she should so desire, to take over a zone of occupation, and to participate as a fourth member of the control commission. The limits of the French zone will be agreed by the four Governments concerned through their representatives on the European Advisory Commission.
 * This tells that the Allied Nations agreed on enforcing unconditional surrender on Germany. They decided not enforce the rules until the German forces are truly beaten. After this the each nation would occupy different zone of Germany. It also tells how France was invited by the Allied Nations to take over a zone of occupation. The European Advisory Commission would regulate the limits of the German Zone.


 * __10 Facts__**
 * 1) The agreement to force Japan to surrender unconditionally was signed on the U.S. Battleship called Missouri on September 2, 1945.
 * 2) It was signed by Foreign Minister Shigemitsu Mamoru and General Umezu Yoshijiro, and by representatives of Australia, China, France, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States.
 * 3) The Japanese government and emperor had to recognize the governing authority of the supreme commander of the Allied Powers.
 * 4) The agreement to force Germany to surrender unconditionally was signed in Rheims, France on May 7, 1945.
 * 5) It was signed by Colonel General Alfred Jodl, chief of staff of the German army; U.S. lieutenant general, for the Supreme Allied Command; General François Savez, for the commander of French Forces of the AEF; and General Ivan Susloparov, for the Russian High Command.
 * 6) The German High Command had to obey all orders given by U.S. General Dwight Eisenhower.
 * 7) The Yalta agreement was signed on February 11, 1945.
 * 8) It was signed by, British prime minister , and Soviet premier.
 * 9) This allowed the Allied Powers to each control a separate zone of Germany once it was defeated.
 * 10) France was also given it's on zone of Germany.