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Before 1918:
The so-called "German Reich" existed until 1918 over centuries in various forms and was ruled by kings and emperors. The former "German Reich" lost the First World War and the monarchy in Germany ended.

1919:
The predecessor of today's "Federal Republic of Germany" is founded as the "Weimar Republic", which is led democratically and bounded constitutionally. The "Weimar Constitution" includes, among others, human rights, free elections, women's rights and other democratic principles.

1919 / 1920:
In the Treaty of Versailles the peace conditions are negotiated and put into effect after the First World War. Germany or the "German Reich" is accused of being the sole responsible for the First World War. Many reparations must be paid to the winners of the war in the form of money, property valuables, and whole rural districts.

1923:
The Weimar Republic suffers economically and internally a lot from the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles. Inflation, unemployment and the rise of politically radical forces are the result.

1930:
The Weimar Republic is hit hard by the global economic crisis. Further economic problems and the further extraction of radical parties with a particularly nationalistic character are the result.

1933:
The right-wing extremist party NSDAP, headed by Adolf Hitler, takes power in Germany. The Reichstag - actually a symbol of democracy - is on fire. As a first measure, Adolf Hitler reintroduces the compulsory military service, which had been abolished after the First World War.

1938:
The anti-Jewish sentiments of the NSDAP is getting more and more extreme. In November this year synagogues are lit all over Germany. Jews are officially deprived, and their persecution is increasing. This ultimately leads to the Holocaust, the targeted murder of millions. A total of about 6 million Jews were killed between 1941 and 1945.

1939:
Beginning of the Second World War with the German military attack on Poland. France and England enter the war to fight Nazi Germany.

1941:
The US enters the Second World War alongside England and France. Japan fights the USA, without being an official ally of the German armed forces.

1945:
The Second World War ends with the victory of England, France, the USA, the Soviet Union, and many allies over the so-called "Third Reich".

1944-1949:
The progress of the Soviet soldiers leads to a refugee movement of about 17 million people, including 14 million Germans.

1945/1946:
During the so-called "Nuremberg Trials" many German war criminals and well-known Nazis are condemned, among others for causing a war, mass murder and crimes against humanity.

1945-1949:
As an occupied country, Germany is divided into spheres of influence of the victors. There are the English, French, American and Russian occupation zones.

1947 / 1949:
The former English, French and American occupation zones are founded as the "Federal Republic of Germany" (FRG) and thus as an independent country. The economic base is the Marshall Plan from 1947, with which the U.S. wanted to push forward the reconstruction of Europe. They set up a $ 12.4 billion program to provide financial assistance to the needy countries for reconstruction, further development and cooperation.

1949:
The Soviet Union refuses to participate in the Marshall Plan and founds the "German Democratic Republic" (GDR) as a sovereign state on the territory of the former Russian occupation zone.

1949:
The Constitutional Law of the Federal Republic of Germany is defined and adopted. It lays down, among others, the fundamental rights of people, equal rights, division of powers (legislative power, executive power, jurisdiction), human and democratic freedom, as well as the right of asylum.

1953:
In June 1953, popular uprisings against the government happen because of the unbearable economic conditions. The uprisings are suppressed with the help of the Soviet army. This is followed by a massive escape movement of the people to the West, thus to the newly founded Federal Republic of Germany.

From 1957 onwards:
The European Economic Community is founded as a precursor of the European Union. Initially, only six states, including the Federal Republic of Germany, decide to cooperate in order to improve the economic situation across Europe.

1961:
On 13 August 1961, the GDR builds the Berlin Wall, which now also divides the city of Berlin in East and West.

Until 1989:
Eastern and Western Germany develop very differently:In the FRG, the social market economy is being pushed forward, among others with the now friendly countries England, France and the USA. The country is developing economically strong, especially in the areas of industry, science and services.With the exception of the Soviet countries, the GDR is largely isolated from the outside world. Thus, almost exclusively, an internal economy develops in the form of so-called "plan management". This economic principle is non-functioning and the displeasure grows.

1989:
The so-called "bloodless revolution" takes place in the GDR. Under the pressure of massive but peaceful protests of the people in the GDR, the political leadership steps down, the borders are being opened and the famous fall of the Berlin Wall happens.

1990:
On 3 October 1990, after almost 50 years, Eastern and Western Germany are reunited. The GDR no longer exists as a state and is from now on becoming a part of the Federal Republic of Germany.

1993:
Enlargement of cooperation between the European countries in the form of the European Economic Community, which more and more countries have joined over time, and is referred to as the "European Union".

2002:
On 1 February 2002, the Euro is officially introduced as the single currency of all countries within the European Union.

2007:
The European Union now includes 27 member countries. Germany plays a particularly important economic and political role in the EU alongside other Western European countries.

2015:
Due to many wars and economic problems in many countries, more and more people are fleeing to Europe, which is often referred to as the "refugee crisis" because of the large number of refugees. Germany plays an important role in the reception of refugees. In Dresden, the "Welcome App" initiative is being developed, from which today's "Welcome App Germany" emerges.

Kindly supported by Harburg County.