Back to the video list: German History

 

The division of the nation was most significant for the German history after the Second World War. This phase began when the victorious allies divided Germany in occupational zones and then two separate states were established. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the German Reunification marked the end of this historical period.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 08 May 1945 – 03 Oct 1990
  • Location: Germany
  • Start: Surrender of Germany at the end of World War II
  • End: German Reunification

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)
  • German Democratic Republic (GDR)
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • Soviet Union

 

Background

  • Total defeat in World War II
  • East-West conflict & Cold War
  • Strong feeling of the German people to be united in one nation

 

History

Foundation of Two States & Systems

  • 08 May 1945: Unconditional surrender of the German Empire which is then divided into 4 occupational zones
  • 21 Jun 1948: Introduction of Deutsche Mark & the Social Market Economy
  • 24 Jul 1948: Introduction of DDR-Mark & planned economy
  • 23 May / 20 Sep 1949: Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • 07 Oct 1949: Foundation of the GDR
  • 05 May 1955: Extension of the German sovereignty through the Treaties of Paris
  • 20 Sep 1955: Treaty between the Soviet Union & the GDR stating “full sovereignty”

 

“Consolidation” of the German Division

  • From 1945: Mass exodus from the GDR to the FRG
  • 26 May 1952: GDR closes & arms its border
  • 1948 – 1973: “Wirtschaftswunder” (economic miracle) in the FRG
  • 17 Jun 1953: GDR violently suppresses civil protests
  • 06 May 1955: FRG becomes a member of NATO
  • 14 May 1955: Foundation of the Warsaw Pact with the GDR as a member state
  • 13 Aug 1961: GDR erects the Berlin Wall

 

Dialogue & Deterioration of the GDR

  • Until 1969: Alleinvertretungsanspruch der Bundesrepublik
  • 21 Dec 1972: Grundlagenvertrag (Basic Treaty) between FRG & GDR (“change through rapprochement“)
  • 1983: Franz Josef Strauß organises a loan for the economically ailing GDR worth several billion Deutsche Mark (“We must make the GDR as dependent on the D-Mark as a junkie is addicted to heroin.”)
  • From 1985: GDR refuses to follow Gorbachev’s reform policy

 

Wind of Change & Reunification

  • 1989: Mass flight into West Germany through third states
  • 1989: Peaceful revolution in the GDR
  • 09 Nov 1989: Opening of the Berlin Wall
  • 18 Mar 1990: 1st free election in the GDR
  • 12 Sep 1990: Signing of the Two Plus Four Treaty in Moscow
  • 03 Oct 1990: German Reunification

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Full German sovereignty under international law
  • Massive efforts to realise the unification within Germany
  • The international position of Federal Republic of Germany is strengthened because of additional territory, population & economic power
  • German politics are more independent & have a greater international influence