Final answer:
After Germany's surrender, the Allies encountered devastation, evidence of the Holocaust, and a humanitarian and economic crisis, leading to the division and occupation of Germany for reconstruction and de-Nazification.
Step-by-step explanation:
After Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945, the Allies found devastation and destruction as they moved east. The aftermath of the war revealed industries and cities that were badly damaged, evidence of the Holocaust with emaciated survivors and documentation of war crimes, and a nation in economic turmoil.
Furthermore, a humanitarian crisis was evident with a lack of public services, widespread hunger, and homelessness. Immediate steps were taken to demilitarize Germany, remove elements of Nazism, and divide the country and its capital into four occupation zones controlled by Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union.
The collective efforts of the Allies were also geared toward the prosecution of war criminals and the reconstruction and reform of the defeated nation.