tate was divided into four segments, one each controlled by the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. The three Western powers were unable to come to terms with the U.S.S.R., and on 31 May 1948, created the German Federal Republic (West Germany) out of their three zones and establishing a democratic government there. The Soviets responded by placing a Communist government in the fourth area and establishing the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) on 7 October 1949.(Johnson, "Germany") The two republics of Germany were indicative of the sharp division between the Communists and the rest of the world for more than forty years. Although a diplomatic ban which was instituted with the formation of the two nations was lifted on 4 September 1974, the countries were still not at ease with each other. The most prominent symbol of this separation was the Berlin Wall, erected by the East Germans in 1961. This barrier was meant to stop the flow of people seeking a better life out of the eastern state. It stood as a physical manifestation of the Iron Curtain dividing the east and west. (Johnson, "Germany") Relations between the two Germanys was cautious at best. The Cold War was played out in Germany more than anywhere else - in this case, the two rival nations shared a border. Soviets had tremendous influence over the socialist East Germans. However, the populous eventually gained more control. A breakup of the Communist party scattered support for the government, and the Communists were eventually ousted. (Johnson, "Germany") The two Germanys were on the path to reunification, and the final hurdles were objections by the U.S.S.R. A deal was negotiated where the Germans would be allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization if they reduced the size of their military and expanded trade with the Soviet Union. (Johnson, "Germany") At midnight on 2 October 1990, a replica of the Liberty Bell was rung i...
