‘The German Siamese twins.’ On 24 February 1948, German cartoonist Ernst Maria Lang illustrates the question of the future of post-war Germany. On the left, West Germany, represented by a little ‘German Michel’ with a straight hat, is cosseted by the three Western Allies (Marianne for France, Uncle Sam for the United States and John Bull for the United Kingdom), who are working together to get it back on its feet. On the right, a drained, frightened Michel, representing East Germany in the Soviet occupation zone, is faced with a huge bear, symbolising Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. From 23 February to 6 March 1948, the Tripartite Conference between the United States, France and the United Kingdom is held in London on the German question. The three Allies decide to speed up the creation of a West German state that will help stop the spread of Communism.

On 26 July 1948, the British daily newspaper The Daily Telegraph publishes an article by the British politician Anthony Eden in which, following his visit to Germany, he discusses the question of the country’s economic and political future.

‘And hanging overhead [Ruhr Statute, Lack of capital, Housing shortages, Dismantling, German disunity, Unemployment] ... A carefree infancy?’ In 1949, the German cartoonist Köhler portrays the dangers hanging over the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

Le 21 janvier 1949, Albert Wehrer, chef de la mission luxembourgeoise auprès du Conseil de contrôle allié à Berlin, adresse une lettre à Joseph Bech, ministre luxembourgeois des Affaires étrangères, dans laquelle il analyse la question du futur siège de la capitale d'Allemagne.

Le 8 mai 1949, Heinrich von Brentano, président de la commission du Conseil parlementaire allemand, y tient un discours à l'occasion de l'adoption de la Loi fondamentale de la République fédérale d'Allemagne (RFA).

On 12 May 1949, the three Western Military Governors in Germany approve the Basic Law adopted by the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG): (from left to right) the French General Pierre Koenig, the British General Sir Brian H. Robertson and the American General Lucius D. Clay.

The Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) is signed in Bonn on 23 May 1949.

On 23 May 1949, in a public session of the Parliamentary Council in Bonn, Konrad Adenauer, President of the Council, proclaims the adoption of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

On 15 June 1949, the Parliamentary Council in Bonn adopts a law laying down the voting arrangements for the first elections to the Bundestag and the Federal Assembly.

Map illustrating the birth of the Federal Republic of Germany with the adoption of the Basic Law on 23 May 1949, as well as the various Länder as established in 1949.

Le 7 septembre 1949, le doyen d’âge du Bundestag Paul Löbe ouvre la session constituante du nouveau Parlement allemand à Bonn. A cette occasion, Erich Köhler (CDU) est élu président du Bundestag.

On 7 September 1949, the Bundestag holds its constituent session following the first general elections organised in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) on 14 August 1949. On 15 September, Konrad Adenauer is elected Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

On 21 September 1949, the German Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer (centre), presents his new government to the press: (from left to right) Fritz Schäffer (Finance), Thomas Dehler (Justice), Jakob Kaiser (All-German Affairs) and Franz Blücher (Vice-Chancellor).