ence (November 1943) Stalin initially approved of different Anglo-American plans for dismembering Germany, but Loth said by 1944 Stalin had discarded the idea as being unrealistic (5). He nevertheless was determined to weaken Germany's ability to threaten the Soviet Union in the future. He confided to Polish leaders that he favored taking measures to keep Germany weak and that he was determined not to let Germany's potential be joined with that of the West (Loth 2). However, Loth said that his policy on Germany did not before the Red Army captured Berlin include "any clear plan of action" (4). Naimark referred to the Soviets' "hazy vision of a future German settlement" (10).
At the Teheran and Yalta (February 1945) Conferences, the Big Three reached agreement only on the broad outlines of their policy toward postwar Germany:
1. German-Polish Border. Agreement was reached that the Polish border would extend west to the Oder River, but at Yalta Churchill, concerned about Soviet actions to exclude non-communists from the Polish government, resisted Stalin's insis
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