Conflict Over Germany and Consolidation of Rival Blocs By em2019 1947 Break-up of London Foreign Ministers' Conference 1948 Currency Reform in Western Zones 1948 Berlin Blockade started 1949 COMECON formed 1949 FRG established Apr 4, 1949 NATO set up Dec 5, 1949 Berlin Blockade ended Dec 10, 1949 GDR set up 1950 Outbreak of Korean War 1951 European Coal and Steel Community (Schuman Plan) Treaty 1952 European Defence Community (EDC) Treaty signed in Paris Oct 3, 1952 Stalin's note proposing a neutral united Germany 1953 Strikes and riots in the GDR May 3, 1953 Stalin 1955 Warsaw Pact signed May 5, 1955 The FRG became a sovereign state and joined NATO