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German Army Defeated
The Nazis are defeated and World War II ends. Germany is then divided into occupation zones by the Allies (France, Soviet Union, Great Britain, and the United States) -
Economic Growth of West Germany
In the 1950s, Western Germany experiences major economic growth -
NATO and Warsaw Pact
In 1955, West Germany joins NATO, while East Germany joins the Warsaw Pact. -
European Economic Community
In 1957, Western Germany joins the European Economic Community -
Berlin Wall
Construction of the Berlin Wall begins -
Unification Impossible
In 1968, the East German constitution declares unification of Germany impossible until West Germany becames socialist -
The United Nations
In 1973, both East and West Germany join the United Nations -
Erich Honecker
In 1987, East German leader Erich Honecker pays his first official visit to West Germany -
Berlin Wall Torn Down
On November 9th, 1989, the East German government declared that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. -
Unified Germany
In 1990, Chancellor Helmu Kohl leads a reunified Germany