Potsdam Proclamation

The Potsdam Proclamation was a statement issued in July 1945 by the United States, Britain, and China, demanding Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II. It warned that if Japan refused, it would face "prompt and utter destruction," effectively threatening the use of nuclear weapons. The proclamation also called for post-war peace and democratic reforms in Japan. Japan initially ignored the demands, which contributed to the decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Potsdam Proclamation was a crucial diplomatic step toward ending the war and shaping the post-war order.