German reunification

German reunification (Deutsche Wiedervereinigung) took place on October 3, 1990, when the areas of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR, in English often called "East Germany") were incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG, or "West Germany"). After the GDR's first free elections on 18 March 1990, negotiations between the GDR and FRG culminated in a Unification Treaty, whilst negotiations between the GDR and FRG and the four occupying powers produced the so-called "Two Plus Four Treaty" granting full independence to a reunified German state. The reunified Germany remained a member of the European Community (later European Union) and NATO. The term "reunification" is used in contrast with the initial unification of Germany in 1871.

Background

After the end of World War II in Europe, Germany had been divided into four occupation zones. The old capital of Berlin, as the seat of the Allied Control Council, was itself subdivided into four occupation zones. Although the intent was for the occupying powers to govern Germany together in the borders from 1947, the advent of Cold War tension caused the French, British and American zones to be formed into the Federal Republic of Germany (and West Berlin) in 1949, excluding the Soviet zone which then formed the German Democratic Republic (including East Berlin), the same year. Several eastern parts of the former German Reich were annexed to the People's Republic of Poland and the Soviet Union. The FRG and the GDR made competing claims to be the legitimate legal successors of the 1945 German state. However, the GDR changed its position at a later point, stating that Germany had ceased to exist in 1945, and that both the FRG and the GDR were newly founded states.

Related Topics:
The end of World War II in Europe - Berlin - Allied Control Council - Cold War - French - British - American - Federal Republic of Germany - West Berlin - Soviet - German Democratic Republic - East Berlin - People's Republic of Poland - 1945

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A first proposal for German reunification was advanced by Josef Stalin in 1952 under terms similar to those later adopted for Austria (see Austrian State Treaty). It called for the creation of a neutral Germany with an eastern border on the Oder-Neisse line and all allied troops removed within the year. The West German government under Konrad Adenauer favoured closer integration with Western Europe and asked that the reunification be negotiated with the provision that there be internationally monitored elections throughout Germany. This condition was rejected by the Soviets. Another proposal by Stalin involved the reunification of Germany within the borders of 1937 under the condition that Germany joined the Warsaw Pact (Eastern Bloc).

Related Topics:
Josef Stalin - 1952 - Austria - Austrian State Treaty - Oder-Neisse line - Konrad Adenauer - Western Europe - Warsaw Pact - Eastern Bloc

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From 1949 onwards, the Federal Republic of Germany developed into a western capitalist country with a "social market economy" and a democratic parliamentary government. The country enjoyed prolonged economic growth known as the West German "economic miracle" (Wirtschaftswunder). Across the border, the German Democratic Republic established an authoritarian government with a Soviet-style command economy. While the GDR became the richest, most advanced country in the Eastern bloc, many of its citizens still looked to the West for political freedoms and economic prosperity. The flight of growing numbers of East Germans to non-communist countries via West Berlin led to East Germany erecting the GDR border system (of which the Berlin Wall was a part) in 1961 to prevent any further exodus.

Related Topics:
Democratic - Wirtschaftswunder - Command economy - GDR border system - Berlin Wall - 1961

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The government of West Germany and its NATO allies at first did not recognize the German Democratic Republic or the People's Republic of Poland, per the Hallstein Doctrine. Relations between East Germany and West Germany remained icy until the Western chancellor Willy Brandt launched a highly controversial rapprochement with East Germany (Ostpolitik) in the 1970s.

Related Topics:
NATO - Hallstein Doctrine - Willy Brandt - Ostpolitik

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