Germany (Federal Republic)

The Federal Republic of Germany is a country in central Europe. In it's modern form, it has existed since 1949, but the people have existed for much longer.

History
After the defeat of the Nazis in the second World War, Germany was split up between the four victors; France, United Kingdom, United States, and Soviet Union. Austria was also given similar treatment. in 1949, the sectors that were occupied by France, United States, and United Kingdom, joined together to create the Federal Republic of Germany. Meanwhile, the Soviet sector was given independence as the Germany Democratic Republic, a communist state. These two nations were dubbed "West Germany" and "East Germany"

In 1949 Germany Joined NATO. This affectedly created what was known as the Western Block. In Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union set up the Warsaw Pact 6 years later with other soviet controlled communist states. Winston Churchill called this split in Europe the Iron Curtain. What should not be under spoken of is Berlin. Also split between both Germanys, many people from the rugged and poor East side began flocking to the West. To prevent this, in 1961, East Germany built a wall around the West. This way, no easterners could get in. The only way out was a 2 hundred mile train ride with no stops to mainland Germany. Previously, in 1956, an Independent state under French protection called Saarland joined Germany with a vote from it's people.

In 1958, Germany, along with other Nato Members, created the European Economic Community. It later on changed it's name to the European Union. After many controversial acts between the two Germanys, tensions began to rise. People could not stand the split any longer. The East German president, Egon Krenz, was deposed of, and in 1989, the Berlin wall fell. One year later, East Germany would now Join wast Germany.

In 1999, Germany got ride of it's currency and adopted the Euro with many other EU states.