History of Europe

What happened to Germany and Berlin at the end of World War 2?

Germany

- Divided into four zones: The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union occupied Germany, dividing the country into four zones of occupation.

- Loss of territory: Germany lost significant territories as a result of the war. These included the Saarland, Alsace-Lorraine, Eupen-Malmédy, North Schleswig, and East Prussia.

- Deindustrialization: The Allies sought to prevent Germany from rearming, and as such, many German factories and industries were dismantled or destroyed.

- Denazification: The Allies undertook a process of denazification, which involved the removal of Nazis from positions of power and the deconstruction of Nazi institutions.

Berlin

- Divided into four sectors: Similar to Germany, Berlin was also divided into four sectors of occupation, each controlled by one of the Allied powers.

- Berlin Wall: The most visible symbol of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall, was erected in 1961 to divide East Berlin (under Soviet control) from West Berlin (under Allied control).

- Blockade: In 1948, the Soviet Union imposed a blockade on West Berlin, cutting off its access to food and supplies. The Western powers responded with airlift to supply West Berlin.