Co-Operation and Reconciliation

Allied Occupation of Germany

After World War II ended, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, each governed by one of the four powers: the USA, France, Britain, and the Soviet Union.
Occupation launched a period of de-nazification and democratisation in order to rebuild the country.
The Potsdam Conference in 1945 decided to de-industrialise Germany to prevent them from initiating future wars.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift

In 1948, in an attempt to take all Berlin under its control, the Soviet Union blocked roads, railways, and canals that connected the West-controlled sectors of Berlin.
Britain and the USA responded not with force, but with the Berlin Airlift, supplying the residents with food and necessities via air.
The successful airlift signified the first major conflict of the Cold War and a win for the democratic allies.

The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic

Germany was officially split into two separate states in 1949 - the capitalist Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in the west, and the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the east.
The FRG and GDR developed along very different lines - economically, politically, and socially.
The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 dramatically symbolised this divide.

Reunification of Germany

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, talks began to reunify the two Germanys.
In 1990, the GDR joined the FRG to form a united Germany, ending almost half a century of division.
October 3rd was declared a national holiday, ‘Day of German Unity’, to celebrate reunification.

Relations with Europe and Beyond

Post-WWII, Germany becomes a leading player in the European Community (now the European Union), further integrating the country with its neighbours.
Reconciliation with former wartime enemies, particularly France, played a key role in Germany’s foreign policy.
Today, Germany is part of many international organisations including NATO and the UN, and it acknowledges its war-time responsibilities, including apologies for the Holocaust.

Remember

The division, and subsequent reunification, of Germany dramatically shaped the course of 20th-century history. The nation evolved from a zone of occupation to a key player in the European Union, demonstrating the power of co-operation and reconciliation.