How did Germany react to the end of World War 2?

Germany reacted to the end of World War II with a mixture of devastation, grief, and a sense of collective guilt. The country had been defeated and occupied by Allied forces, and its cities and infrastructure lay in ruins. Millions of Germans had been killed or displaced from their homes, and the economy was in shambles.

The immediate aftermath of the war was a time of chaos and uncertainty. The Allied forces set up a military government to oversee the reconstruction of Germany, but it took many years for the country to recover. The "German Question" - how to deal with Germany and prevent future aggression - was a major concern for the Allies.

In the years following the war, Germany was divided into two separate states: West Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany) and East Germany (the German Democratic Republic). West Germany became a prosperous democracy closely allied with the United States and Western Europe, while East Germany became a communist state aligned with the Soviet Union.

The division of Germany was a source of tension during the Cold War, and it was not until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany in 1990 that the country was finally reunited.

In the decades since reunification, Germany has undergone a remarkable transformation. It is now a prosperous, democratic country that has taken on a leading role in European affairs. However, the legacy of World War II continues to shape German society and politics, and the country remains committed to promoting peace and reconciliation both at home and abroad.