This page will provide you with information about German history from the year 1918. It is divided into three short sections, and also contains some videos. Check out the Photo Album (Fotoalbum German History) on the right for further information!
1918-1945
At the end of World War I a new German constitution was drawn up in Weimar. But the failure of the democratic parties to create a stable economic and political Germany and the fear of Communism opened the door to radical right wing parties, such as the National Socialist Party of Germany (NSDAP) led by Adolf Hitler. In the 1932 elections, the NSDAP gained the largest share of the popular vote and at the beginning of 1933 Hitler was appointed Chancellor. Within weeks of taking office Hitler forced through laws which banned political opposition to the NSDAP and turned Germany into a dictatorship. In a quest for increased ‘living space’ for the German people Hitler annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia and invaded Poland. It set off World War II and ended six years later, in spring 1945, with Germany’s surrender.
1949-1989
The victorious British, French, American and Soviet allies divided Germany and Berlin into four zones of occupation, each under the control of one 'ally'. As relations between the Soviet Union and the other three allies got worse, it became clear that a joint agreement about Germany’s future would be difficult. In 1949, the three western zones were united to form the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) and the Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik). Over the next 40 years the two states would develop very differently. The GDR, with its capital East Berlin, became a single party state run on Communist lines. The FRG, with its capital Bonn, became a democracy and experienced an economic boom. Political and economic factors led many people to move from East to West Germany and the divided city of Berlin was a popular crossing point. By 1961, the GDR authorities were so worried about the flood of East German citizens leaving the country that they built the Berlin Wall, dividing the city in two.
The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall Video - right-click to save
1989 - Present Day
While the GDR was celebrating its 40th birthday in 1989, a growing number of East Germans were deeply dissatisfied with their lives. Taking advantage of the changing political climate and the newly open borders in Hungary, many tried to flee to the FRG. Back in East Germany, protestors thronged the streets demanding change. Finally, on 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. Twelve months later, the GDR held its first democratic elections - and voted itself out of existence. On 3 October 1990, Germany was reunited. In 1991, public vote decided to move the country’s capital back to reunited Berlin.
Life in the former East Germany - right click to save
Reunification, however, did not proceed without problems. West and East Germany differed greatly in their standards of living. The collapse of East German’s state-run economy resulted in a high unemployment rate among East Germans while many West Germans resented the financial weight of reunification. Even though some still have nostalgic feelings for the old life in East Germany, a lot has changed: The border posts have disappeared, it is difficult to make out where the Wall once stood and Angela Merkel, a former East German, has become Germany’s democratically-elected Chancellor.
Links
* BBC German History Revision Site
