The Allied Control Council was officially established to administer the occupation of Germany following its defeat in World War II. Consisting of representatives from the four occupying powers—United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and France—the council was tasked with making decisions regarding the political and economic reconstruction of Germany. This marked the first formal structure for governing the occupied zones in Germany, each of which was run by one of the Allied nations. The council's creation was a direct response to the devastation of World War II and aimed to prevent any resurgence of militarism in Germany. The Allies recognized that a coordinated approach was essential for effectively managing Germany's disarmament, rebuilding its economy, and facilitating the de-Nazification process.

The headquarters of the council was initially located in Berlin, at the former Reich Chancellery, a site that symbolized the previous regime's power. The council held its first meeting shortly after its formation, where various policy decisions were made, including agreeing on the demilitarization of Germany and the trial of war criminals. The decisions of the Allied Control Council would ultimately set the groundwork for the governance of post-war Germany and sow the seeds for the subsequent division of the country into East and West.

In later years, differing ideologies and political objectives among the Allied powers led to tensions that weakened the council's effectiveness. By 1949, the council had effectively become inactive as the Cold War commenced, resulting in the division of Germany into two separate states, each aligned with competing superpowers. The initial goals of the Allied Control Council, while noble in intent, ultimately gave way to the complex political realities of the post-war period.