Page 66 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

64  INTRODUCING GERM AN Y THE HIST OR Y OF GERM AN Y  65

the block ade was that it would happen, but the country
aband oned. On was officially reu nified on 3 October 1990.
23 May 1949 the Since then, Ger many has been under going
Federal Republic a process of integration.
(Bundesrepublik)
of Germany was Germany Today
established in the Since reunification Germany has had
three western Germany 1949–90 an increasingly significant footing in the
Nazi war criminals on trial at Nuremberg zones, and on 7 Federal Republic Reunification ceremony outside the Reichstag in Berlin in 1990 international political and economic sphere
DDR
October 1949 the – especially within Europe. German troops
The Aftermath of World War II German Democratic Republic (DDR) was set apparatus was set up in East Germany to take part in peacekeeping operations
Germany’s unconditional surrender was signed up in the Soviet zone. West Berlin became watch over citizens’ activities by the infamous throughout the world, while its economy
on 8 May 1945, ending the bloodiest war in an enclave inside East Germany. Stasi secret police. has remained relatively stable throughout
human history. Peace negotiations began The first Chancellor of the Federal Republic the global financial crises. Its manufacturing
which were to shape the new face of Europe Germany Divided of Germany, Konrad Adenauer, had Germany’s sectors are highly regarded, producing and
for decades to come. In fact, discussions on The German Democratic Republic was integration into Western Europe as his main exporting a range of goods, from luxury
Germany’s future had already taken place at democratic only in name. It became one of objective. Thanks to aid under the Marshall cars to solar power technology, worldwide.
the Tehran and Yalta Conferences, where the the satellites of the Soviet Union, and as the Plan, the economy rapidly recovered. Willy The country also enjoys a prominent
leaders of the Big Three Powers met. But it westernmost outpost of the Eastern Bloc it Brandt, first elected as Chancellor in 1969, position in the European Union, with
was not until the Potsdam Conference that was subject to great restrictions. Attempted pursued a policy of openness to the East, and Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel
the terms were finally agreed. protests, such as the Workers’ Uprising of recognized the German Democratic Republic. considered by many to be its de facto
Germany lost large parts of its territory to 17 June 1953 in Berlin, were ruthlessly sup­ leader. Following the rise of the far right
the east, displacing the German population pressed. For many people the only solution Reunification populism throughout the West, some
there. It was decided to demilitarize Germany. was to leave the country. As the exodus of German reunification was made possible by consider Germany to be ‘‘the leader of
The four Allied powers – the USA, the USSR, skilled workers to the West continued, on a number of political events, in particular the free world’.
Britain and France – divided Germany into 13 August 1961 a wall with barbed wire was those going on in Eastern Europe. The Soviet Germany has also enjoyed a surge in
zones of occupation which they would rule built to contain them. Many attempts to cross premier Gorbachev’s policy of glasnost led tourism, becoming one of Europe’s most
until demo cratic structures were in place. the frontier ended in death. A highly efficient to the loosening of political constraints popular travel destinations with more than
The main perpetrators of war crimes were through out the Eastern Bloc. Democratic a billion international visitors every year.
tried in Nuremberg and sentenced to changes in Poland set off a chain reaction.
death. Unfortunately, tensions increased In 1989, people started to flee the German
between the Western powers and the Soviet Democratic Republic en masse via its
Union, rapidly escalating in the “Cold War”, embassy in Prague and across the Austro-
which was largely played out in occupied Hungarian border. Then, on 9 November
Germany. In 1948 the three western zones 1989, the Berlin Wall fell due to protests
introduced a new currency, which led the in the East, and East Ger mans were free
Soviets to blockade the western part of to leave. When, only three weeks later,
Berlin. Thanks to the Berlin Airlift, which Chancellor Helmut Kohl presented a ten-point
supplied the pop ulation with food and fuel, Graffiti-covered section of the Berlin Wall plan for German reunification, few believed Angela Merkel campaigning during the 2009 European General Elections

13 Aug 1961 Building 1973 West and East Germany Helmut Kohl and Richard Helmut Kohl and Richard 2002 Floods 2011 Germany hosts the FIFA
4–11 Feb 1945 Yalta Conference of the Berlin Wall accepted into UN von Weizsäcker at the von Weizsäcker at the cause havoc Women’s World Cup
8 May Germany capitulates reunification ceremonyreunification ceremony across
1982 Helmut Kohl becomes 3 Oct 1990 2006 Germany 2013 Devastating floods in Germany
17 Jun 1953 Workers’ 1968 Student riots Reunification Germany hosts FIFA and Eastern Europe are said to be the
uprising in East Berlin German Chancellor worst in over 400 years
of Germany World Cup
1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 19801980 19851985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
1955 Federal Republic 1972 Official 1994 2000 2005 Reopening of Dresden’s 2015 The number of refugees to
24 Jun 1948 1949 Federal and German relations 8 Nov 1989 8 Nov 1989 Withdrawal of 1998 Gerhard Expo 2000 reconstructed Frauenkirche, a have arrived in Germany from
Blockade of West Republic and Democratic Republic established Fall of the Fall of the last Russian Schröder World Fair symbol of East-West efforts the Middle East hits 1.5 million.
Berlin starts DDR established gain sovereignty between East and Berlin WallBerlin Wall military units becomes in Hanover
The Trabant, a trademark
West Germany; The Trabant, a trademark from Berlin Chancellor 2005 Angela Merkel is the first female chancellor
Konrad Adenauer Munich Olympics of East German industry in a “Grand Coalition” government
of East German industry

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