Final answer:
The Potsdam Conference helped bring about the Cold War by solidifying the division of Germany and intensifying the ideological tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Potsdam Conference, held in July 1945, played a significant role in bringing about the Cold War. At the conference, the leaders of the United States, Soviet Union, and Britain discussed post-war Europe and decided to divide Germany and Berlin into American, British, French, and Soviet sectors. This division, along with the differing ideologies and suspicions between the superpowers, intensified the tensions that eventually led to the Cold War. The conference also highlighted the different visions for Europe's future, with the Soviets aiming to create a pro-Russian buffer zone and the Western allies advocating for Western-style democracies.