The Potsdam Declaration

The Potsdam Declaration, issued on July 26, 1945, was a statement by the leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, and China, outlining terms for Japan's surrender in World War II. It called for Japan to cease fighting and warned of “prompt and utter destruction” if they did not comply. The declaration aimed to establish peace in the Pacific after the war, promote democracy, and address Japan’s future political structure. It set the stage for Japan's eventual surrender following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.