70 years of German sovereignty: International role models

en years after the end of the Second World War, Europe was still undergoing reconstruction - both politically and militarily. The attempt to create a common defense involving Germany with the European Defense Community (EDC) had failed. But in September 1954, the London Nine-Power Conference found a groundbreaking solution: the Federal Republic of Germany was to join NATO and the Western European Union (WEU). In return, Germany undertook not to develop or produce any nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.

These agreements were set out in the Paris Treaties. With their entry into force on May 5, 1955, the young Federal Republic of Germany gained extensive sovereignty - albeit with the continued existence of Allied reservation rights with regard to Berlin and Germany as a whole.

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Kießling, Chair of Modern and Contemporary History at the University of Bonn, will speak.