The dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language offers the following interpretation of the word: stop armed resistance of one of the belligerents and surrender to the winner on the terms dictated by him. In the figurative sense, to refuse to continue the struggle, to defend one’s views, to acknowledge one’s impotence in anything. The verb came from the noun “capitulation”, which came from the Latin language (capitulātiō - decision under international law) through Polish, where it changed to kapitulacja.
Capitulation of Germany
The main role in the final defeat of the German army was played by the USSR, Great Britain, France and the USA. The document that ended the Great Patriotic War, the Act on the unconditional surrender of Germany, was signed in Berlin on May 8, 1945. What does it mean to surrender? Stop armed resistance and accept the dictated conditions. The defeated German troops laid down their arms, the government of the Third Reich was dissolved.
To exercise control over the territory of Germany, members of the anti-Hitler coalition divided it into occupation zones. Later there was a unification of the zones of the USA, Great Britain and France. At a meeting of the Allies in 1948, it was decided to create a single West German state. The constitution of the new country, called the Federal Republic of Germany (Federal Republic of Germany), was approved in May 1948.
In the Soviet part of Germany, power was gradually transferred to the People's Congress. In October 1949, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was proclaimed, the constitution of which was pro-Soviet.
Surrender of japan
During World War II, Japan violated the provisions of neutrality by drowning ships carrying aid from the allies of the USSR. At the Yalta conference of the meeting of the heads of state of the Allies for the anti-Hitler coalition in February 1945, the Soviet Union committed itself to declare war on Japan. The Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945) consolidated the Yalta accords.
The declaration of war took place on August 8, 1945. The lightning-fast actions of the Soviet troops forced the emperor Hirohito to make a statement of surrender on August 15. On August 18, the USSR army occupied the territory of Manchuria, part of Korea, the south of the Sakhalin peninsula and the Kuril Islands. The signing of the official act of surrender followed on September 2, 1945.
What did it mean to capitulate to Japan? After signing the official document, the provisions of the Yalta and Potsdam conferences entered into force. In accordance with them, the southern part of the Sakhalin peninsula and the disputed islands of the Kuril ridge were returned to the Soviet Union, that is, Japan lost part of its territory.
The subsequent occupation of Japan by American forces, which lasted seven years, led the country to the loss of state sovereignty. The country's leadership was subordinate to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General MacArthur.
The American course on democratization, new legislation changed Japanese customs and religion. In a country where women had not previously taken part in public life, they suddenly got rights. The emperor, considered the "descendant of the sun goddess," was in every possible way belittled. The traditional Japanese theater, kabuki, was declared anti-democratic. Dictated the conditions for staging performances and films, writing literature. The preservation of the conditions dictated by surrendering Japan was reinforced by an impressive American contingent, including ground, air and naval forces.
Conclusion
The meaning of the word “surrender” implies rigorous fulfillment of the conditions of the winning side. As can be seen in the case of Germany and Japan, the victorious countries did not just impose restrictions on the habitual, traditional way of life of the defeated people. The destruction of the old foundations and the imposition of another's value system took place.
In everyday life, the verb “capitulate” is used in a figurative sense to express one’s own weakness, the impossibility of changing anything and refusing to further struggle.