‘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.