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Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allied forces, marking the end of World War II in Europe and the beginning of Allied occupation.

Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the United States, United Kingdom, France in the West, and the Soviet Union in the East, setting the stage for political separation.

The Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin, leading the Western Allies under US General Clay to organize the Berlin Airlift to supply the city, a defining moment of the Cold War, and a demonstration of American support for the citizens of Berlin.

The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was founded in May, followed by the establishment of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in October.

West Germany became a member of NATO, integrating into the Western defense alliance amid Cold War rivalry.

In response to West Germany joining NATO, East Germany became part of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact military alliance.

East Germany, with Soviet support, erected the Berlin Wall to stop mass emigration to the West, symbolizing the division of Europe.

West Germany experienced rapid economic growth and industrial recovery, rebuilding the country after Second World War's devastation into one of the world’s leading economies.

Chancellor Willy Brandt pursued a policy of détente and normalization with Eastern Europe and East Germany, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.

A series of terrorist attacks by the Red Army Faction (RAF) shook West Germany, leading to increased security measures and political unity against extremism.

Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of Glasnost and Perestroika in the Soviet Union inspired reform movements across Eastern Europe, including East Germany.

Mass protests in East Germany led to the unexpected opening of the Berlin Wall, symbolizing the collapse of communist rule and the end of the Cold War division.

East and West Germany officially reunited under the leadership of Chancellor Helmuth Kohl, to form a single sovereign nation, the Federal Republic of Germany, with Berlin as the capital.

Social Democrat Gerhard Schröder formed a coalition with the Greens, introducing economic and social reforms that modernized Germany’s welfare system.

Germany adopted the Euro as its official currency, becoming a key player in shaping the European Union’s economic policies.

Angela Merkel became Germany’s first female Chancellor, leading the country for 16 years and steering it through multiple global crises.

Germany played a crucial role in the European response to the global financial crisis, becoming the leading voice for austerity within the EU.

Germany opened its borders to hundreds of thousands of refugees, sparking both praise and controversy domestically and across the EU.

After 16 years in office, Angela Merkel stepped down and Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD) became Chancellor, forming a coalition with the Greens and Free Democrats.

Following the fall of the Ampelkoalition, Chancellor Scholz lost the vote of confidance. The CDU/CSU's Friedrich Merz became the new Chancellor of Germany, the first Chancellor in modern times not be approved in the first round of the Bundestag vote, after forming a coalition with the SPD.