Source: Photograph of Josef Stalin, Harry S. Truman, and Winston Churchill at Potsdam, 07/17/1945, National Archives, Flikr

Study the introduction below and consider the questions that follow.

The year is 1945. Germany surrendered to the Allies (Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States) in the spring. World War II has ended in Europe.

In February of 1945 and again later in July, the leaders of Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States met to help coordinate their efforts at ending the war and to organize the post-war world. The outcome would begin a time of conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union that spanned five decades - the Cold War.

Have you ever heard the saying "To the victor belong the spoils"? What do you think this phrase really means?

The spoils of war do not just mean gold or land. What other things could be considered the spoils of war? Why?