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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)
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In the 1950s, Western Germany experiences major economic growth
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In 1955, West Germany joins NATO, while East Germany joins the Warsaw Pact.
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In 1957, Western Germany joins the European Economic Community
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Construction of the Berlin Wall begins
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In 1968, the East German constitution declares unification of Germany impossible until West Germany becames socialist
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In 1973, both East and West Germany join the United Nations
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In 1987, East German leader Erich Honecker pays his first official visit to West Germany
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On November 9th, 1989, the East German government declared that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin.
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In 1990, Chancellor Helmu Kohl leads a reunified Germany