The Two-Plus-Four Treaty
The unconditional surrender of the Third Reich in 1945 meant that Germany was a subjugated nation. With the Cold War preventing any move towards reunification, the Allied Control Council retained supreme authority even after the formation of the two German states in 1949. There were many things that West Germany and the DDR could not decide to do.
Only after reunification in 1991 did the Two-Plus-Four Treaty end this unhappy state of affairs. Coming into force on 15 March 1991, the treaty required the new state to accept the Oder-Neisse line as its eastern border. After almost half a century Germany was once again united and sovereign.
The whole year at a glance
Jan
4
1947
Publication of the first issue of Der Spiegel
Oct
4
1061
Consecration of Speyer Cathedral
