Table of Contents
When did Germany become a part of NATO?
6 May 1955
Meanwhile, in Germany, families were torn apart and Berliners often risked their lives to join their loved ones on the other side of the Wall. NATO welcomed West Germany as a member on 6 May 1955, a day after its status as an occupied country came to an end (the Bonn-Paris conventions came into effect on 5 May 1955).
Why did Germany join both NATO and Warsaw Pact?
The Warsaw Pact was created in reaction to the integration of West Germany into NATO in 1955 per the London and Paris Conferences of 1954. The Warsaw Pact was established as a balance of power to NATO. East Germany withdrew from the Pact following German reunification in 1990.
Why was West Germany accepted into NATO in 1955?
Declassified documents in today’s Web posting demonstrate how the United States and its allies established NATO partly to reassure France about Germany. The allies then brought West Germany into the alliance as a deterrent against the Soviet Union but also to ensure that it did not develop independent military forces.
Why was Germany divided into two countries after WWII?
Overview of the Potsdam Conference. For purposes of occupation, the Americans, British, French, and Soviets divided Germany into four zones. The American, British, and French zones together made up the western two-thirds of Germany, while the Soviet zone comprised the eastern third.
Is Germany part of NATO?
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is an international alliance that consists of 30 member states from North America and Europe….Member countries.
| Member state | Germany |
|---|---|
| Capital | Berlin |
| Accession | 8 May 1955 |
| Population | 80,159,662 |
| Area | 357,022 km2 (137,847 sq mi) |
How did Germany get into NATO?
The Soviets responded by setting up the German Democratic Republic in East Germany. On May 5, 1955, the American, French, and British forces formally ended their military occupation of West Germany, which became an independent country. Four days later, West Germany was made a member of NATO.
What did NATO do for West Germany?
For the next 40 years, West Germany was the front line of the Cold War in Europe – hosting NATO troops to deter aggression from the East, contributing one of the largest militaries in the Alliance and ultimately reunifying with East Germany in 1990.
What happened to Germany at the end of ww2?
On May 7, 1945, Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies in Reims, France, ending World War II and the Third Reich. Due to warring ideologies, tussles between the Soviet Union and its allies, and the legacy of the First World War, Germany actually surrendered twice.
How did Germany join NATO?
On May 5, 1955, the American, French, and British forces formally ended their military occupation of West Germany, which became an independent country. Four days later, West Germany was made a member of NATO. For U.S. policymakers, this was an essential step in the defense of Western Europe.