Federal Republic of Germany (1949-1990). Ideological underpinnings in the use of names

Germany - the most detailed information about the country with photos. Sights, cities of Germany, climate, geography, population and culture.

Germany (Deutschland)

Germany is a state in Central Europe. One of the largest and richest countries in the European Union, it is washed by the North and Baltic seas and borders Denmark in the north, the Czech Republic and Poland in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France, Belgium, Holland (the Netherlands) and Luxembourg in the west. Germany consists of 16 federal states and is a federal state with a parliamentary form of government. The official language is German. The majority of the population professes Christianity.

Germany is one of the most popular holiday and travel destinations. The country is extremely diverse: from the sandy beaches of the Baltic and North Seas to the mountain ranges of the Alps in the south, from the dark forests and picturesque nature of the Black Forest to the endless fields of the agricultural regions, from the vineyards of the Rhine Valley to the chalk cliffs of Rügen. Here you can find a place to your liking: the ancient cities of Bavaria - Nuremberg, Regensburg, Bamberg or the famous Hanseatic cities - Bremen, Rostock, Lubeck, modern metropolises - Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt am Main or other popular tourist centers - Dresden , Hannover, Cologne.

Useful information about Germany

1. The official language is German.
2. Currency - euro.
3. Visa - Schengen.
4. The standard of living is high.
5. Population - more than 82 million people.
6. Area - more than 357 thousand square meters. m.
7. The capital is Berlin.
8. It is customary to leave a tip of 5-10% of the bill amount.
9. Time zone +1. Relative to Moscow time -1 in summer and -2 in winter.
10. The form of government is a federal parliamentary republic.

Geography and nature

Northern Germany is flat. The central part of the country is mainly hills and foothills covered with forest. The southern part of Germany is mountainous. The Alps begin here and the highest point is Mount Zugspitze (2,962 m).

A huge number of rivers flow through Germany. The largest of them are: Rhine, Danube, Elbe, Oder. The largest lake is Lake Constance, with an area of ​​more than 500 square meters. km and a maximum depth of 250 meters.

The north of Germany is washed by the North and Baltic seas. The main seaports and seaside resorts are located here. There are a large number of islands in the coastal zone, the largest of which is the island of Rügen.

The nature of Germany is typical for a temperate climate. Most of the territory (32%) is covered with deciduous and mixed forests, dominated by spruce, pine, oak and beech. In arid places there are heather plains, a small part of the territory is covered with swamps, and in the mountains you can find alpine and subalpine meadows. Half of the country is agricultural land: fields and pastures. There are vineyards in the Rhine Valley. The fauna is typical for the forest zone, with the exception that there are no large mammals left in Germany: moose, brown bears, wolves, etc.

Climate

Germany is located in a temperate climate zone. In the north, the climate and weather are largely determined by the proximity of the sea. In the south, the climate is closer to temperate continental. The weather in Germany is often quite changeable. Warm days may alternate between cool and rainy. In general, the seasons of the year are clearly distinguished and some extreme weather events (heat, severe frosts and hurricanes) are quite rare and fleeting. The average summer temperature is 15-20 degrees. In winter the temperature is close to zero or slightly frosty. It is, of course, colder in the mountains. 600-800 mm of precipitation falls per year (it all depends on the region).

Best time to visit

Germany is a country that can be visited almost all year round. It all depends on the season you like. Germany is magical at Christmas and winter, covered in snow, blooming in spring, green in summer and beautiful in autumn. The ideal time to visit is considered to be from May to August. This is the time of the highest tourist season. The transition period with comfortable weather conditions is March-April and September-October. Late autumn and winter (except Christmas holidays) is the low tourist season, which is good for economical travel.

Story

The country's name in Russian comes from the Latin name of the tribes living beyond the Rhine Valley and dates back to the times of the Roman Empire. The Romans called these tribes "Germans". The official name of the country in German is Deutschland. Used since the 15th century.

The first mentions of Germanic tribes date back to the period of Ancient Greece. Further references to the Germans are found in ancient Roman documents. From Antiquity to the 10th century, most of Germany was inhabited by Slavic tribes. After the collapse of the Roman Empire in Western Europe, the kingdom of the Franks was formed. In the 9th century, Charlemagne created a new empire, which did not last long. Charles's grandchildren divided the empire into three kingdoms. The Kingdom of the East Franks later became Germany.

The founding date of Germany as a state is considered to be 962, when the king of the eastern Franks, Otto I, became king of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was a confederation of lands with broad powers. They had their own coin and army. The emperor was chosen at a special council. The lands represented their interests in the Reichstag.

In the 12th-14th centuries, the lands on which the Slavs lived one way or another became part of the Empire. The Slavic population was forced out or assimilated.

The Holy Roman Empire ceased to exist in the early 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars. After the Congress of Vienna, the German Confederation was formed, which was ruled by the Kaiser. In 1866, the German Confederation collapsed. In 1877, the North German Confederation was formed, which later became the German Empire. At the end of the 19th century, Germany became one of the leading countries in Europe. The country is experiencing a flourishing of culture, science and philosophy.

In 1914, Germany entered the First World War. In 1918, as a result of the revolution, the King of Prussia abdicated the throne, and Germany became a Socialist Republic. In 1933, the National Socialist Party led by Adolf Hitler came to power. In 1939, World War II began. After the end of the war and defeat in it, the country was divided into two parts - the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. In 1990, Germany became united. The GDR became part of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Administrative division

Germany consists of 16 federal states:

1. Baden-Württemberg - Stuttgart city center
2. Free State of Bavaria - center of Munich
3. Berlin (capital)
4. Brandenburg - Potsdam city center
5. Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
6. Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg
7. Hesse - center of Wiesbaden
8. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - center of Schwerin
9. Lower Saxony - center Hannover
10. North Rhine-Westphalia - center of Düsseldorf
11. Rhineland-Palatinate - Mainz center
12. Saarland - center of Saarbrücken
13. Free State of Saxony - center Dresden
14. Saxony-Anhalt - Magdeburg center
15. Schleswig-Holstein - center of Kiel
16. Free State of Thuringia - center Erfurt

Population

The population of Germany is more than 82 million people. The country is one of the largest in terms of population in Europe. 92% of the population are Germans. The largest diasporas include: Turkish, from the countries of the former Yugoslavia and the post-Soviet space. The majority of the population professes Christianity. 90% of German residents live in cities. The official language is German. Many people (especially young people) speak English. Approximately 6 million people understand Russian.

The Germans are a neat, serious and disciplined nation. They try to adhere to the rules, love order, take all issues seriously and are sometimes even overly pedantic. Regarding openness, it all depends on the person. In general, Germans are quite open and friendly. It seemed that the population of West Germany was more open than that of East Germany.

Transport

Germany's transport infrastructure is one of the best in Europe and the world. One of the main advantages of the transport network is the famous autobahns. These are high-speed highways with excellent road surfaces. Some of them don't even have speed limits. Considering that the highways connecting Germany with neighboring countries are free, and the cost of fuel here is slightly cheaper than in France, Austria and Italy, moving around the country by car is very fast and comfortable. One of the downsides is that there are congestion near large cities and rather dense traffic flows, which somewhat increases travel time.

There are quite a lot of international airports in Germany. They connect the country with almost all countries of Europe and the world. The largest airports in Germany are located in Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Dresden, Nuremberg.

Germany also has a well-developed railway connection. The length of railways is more than 35 thousand km. High-speed trains are integrated into the European transport system.

Cities of Germany

The capital of Germany is the city of Berlin, located in the northeastern part of the country on the banks of the Spree River. This is one of the largest cities in Europe. Berlin became the capital during the German Empire. From 1961 to 1989 it was divided by a wall, which became one of its main attractions and symbols.

The economic center of Germany is the city of Frankfurt am Main. It is also probably the most modern city in the country with skyscrapers and many new buildings. The former capital of Germany, Bonn, also deserves attention.

Hamburg is one of the largest cities in Germany and its main seaport. The ancient Hanseatic cities of Northern Germany are very interesting - Bremen, Lübeck, Luneburg, the Black Forest, the island of Rügen and much more.

There are 34 sites in Germany that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

There are a large number of castles in Germany. The most famous of them are Kaiserburg in Nuremberg, Neuschwanstein, Hohenzollern, Heidelberg, Wartburg, Hohenschwangau.

Very famous are the monuments of sacred architecture - ancient cathedrals and churches. Grandiose Gothic masterpieces have been preserved in Northern Germany and Bavaria.

Germany is an extremely interesting country for tourists. Despite two world wars, almost every ancient city can surprise you with interesting sights and old architecture.

Accommodation

There are a huge number of hotels, inns, and guesthouses in different price categories in Germany. The average cost of a room is significantly higher than the neighboring Czech Republic and Poland and is approximately on the same level as France and Austria. Although if you plan your trip in advance, you can find very economical and convenient options. Many places include breakfast in the price, which is usually very good. In principle, a good double room in almost any region of Germany can be found for 50-70 euros.

Kitchen

German cuisine is a synthesis of Eastern European and Western European dishes. However, there are differences in the cuisine of the north and south. Traditional regional cuisine can be found in Northern Germany and Bavaria.

The cost of food in Germany is not the cheapest. The average bill for two in an inexpensive restaurant is approximately 50 euros.

The main drink in Germany is beer. At the same time, the quality and production volumes of the foamy drink are in no way inferior to the Czech Republic. The historical region of Franconia is home to wine regions that produce very good wine.

Video

Reichstag - building of the state assembly

Germany (Deutschland), Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), a country with an amazing and tragic fate, the twentieth century shook it, it was divided, reunited again to become one of the strongest states in the world. Now the German states consist of 16 equal districts.

A little history

At the end of November 1989, the triumphant Germans of both Germanys dismantled this wall, but a small fragment of it still remained, it was deliberately not touched, as a reminder of past events. And on September 3, 1990, after all the formalities were resolved, the two Germanys finally united into one.

The capital of Germany now, as in past times, is Berlin. Although many ministries and administrative services still remain in Bonn.

Today Germany is a member of the European Union and NATO, one of the G7 members. The Federal Republic of Germany also aspires to permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Lands of Germany

Today, Deutschland is a parliamentary republic; it includes 16 equal districts - states, each of which has its own capital. The largest of them is Bavaria, with its capital in Munich. The German states and their capitals are divided into districts and districts.

Berlin

The current capital itself is a separate land, although it is entirely located inside another state - Brandenburg, with its capital in Potsdam. This is the largest city in Germany, very ancient and beautiful. It stands on the Spree River, it is also unofficially called Athens on the Spree. It amazes with the beauty of its architecture.

In 1933, after the National Socialists came to power, Berlin became the capital of Nazi Germany. In 1941-1945. Berlin suffered serious damage from Anglo-American bombing, artillery shelling and street fighting.

Other lands

Land - Capital - Area (km²) - Population (persons)

By the beginning of 2017, the population of Germany was 81,314,569 people.
Despite the high standard of living, the number of ethnic Germans is declining; the country's population remains at approximately the same level only due to immigrants.

Geography

Germany is located in the very center of Western Europe, most of it is located in a low-lying plain, and the Alps adjoin it to the south. The highest point is Zugspitze 2,960 m.

There are many rivers here - the largest and most famous are the Rhine, Danube, Elbe, Weser and Oder, they are connected by canals. One of them is Kiel, through which the Baltic and North Seas are connected.

There are few lakes in the Federal Republic of Germany, the largest is Lake Constance, which is located in the foothills of the Alps, on the border of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The Rhine flows through this lake; it freezes only in the harshest winters. This lake is navigable and also has a ferry service. The Monastery Island of Reichenau is worth seeing on the lake.

Climate

The weather in Germany is unstable, this is due to the difference in the landscape and the proximity of the mountains. In summer there are periods of cold weather and rain, in winter the temperature rises to above zero. Truly extreme natural phenomena and temperatures practically never happen here. Briefly, the climate can be described as temperate. Average temperature in January: -5 - +2, in July about 20 - 25 degrees.

Protected architectural monuments and natural areas

Germany has many natural areas, parks, and biosphere reserves. These are picturesque landscapes that have been preserved in their original form.

14 national parks throughout the country, many other natural monuments, and protected natural areas make Germany one of the greenest countries in Europe.

Germany is a country with a rich history and unique architectural monuments. Many of them are under the protection of UNESCO.

Hotels

Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin - 5-star hotel features a 25-meter aquarium

It is worth visiting Germany to see its beauty and originality. You can stay in hotels for every taste - from luxurious five-star hotels to simple and practical hotels. Everyone will find a hotel for themselves at an affordable price. The hotels offer a comfortable stay, free Wi-Fi, and breakfast is included in the price.

There are also many comfortable and practical hostels where you can have a good rest and cook your own food.

Public transport

The system is well organized. There are metro and city trains, buses and trams. The fare payment system is conveniently set up - a single ticket is valid with transfers. The price depends on the time and distance of travel, there is a system of benefits and discounts, and there are also many taxis.

There are few international buses - they are successfully replaced by electric trains.
A widely branched network of roads of all classes has been built.

Airports

Germany has several international airports that serve air flights from many countries around the world.

The largest of them is Frankfurt am Main. It receives most domestic and international flights. You can get to it by electric train, bus or car.

Dresden-Klosche has had international status since 2008.

A new international airport is being built in Berlin, Berlin-Brandenburg, but for now flights from Moscow are accepted at the old one, Tegel.

The 24-hour Cologne-Bonn airport is also international and hosts some Russian airlines.

The years 1945-1948 became a thorough preparation, which led to the split of Germany and the appearance on the map of Europe of two countries formed in its place - the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. Decoding the names of states is interesting in itself and serves as a good illustration of their different social vectors.

Post-war Germany

After the end of World War II, Germany found itself divided between two occupation camps. The eastern part of this country was occupied by troops of the Soviet Army, the western part was occupied by the Allies. The western sector was gradually consolidated, the territories were divided into historical lands, which were administered by local governments. In December 1946, a decision was made to unite the British and American occupation zones - the so-called. Bisonia. It became possible to create a unified land management body. Thus, the Economic Council was created - an elected body empowered to make economic and financial decisions.

Prerequisites for the split

First of all, these decisions concerned the implementation of the “Marshall Plan” - a large-scale American financial project aimed at restoring the economies of European countries destroyed during the war. The Marshall Plan contributed to the separation of the eastern zone of occupation, since the USSR government did not accept the proposed assistance. Subsequently, different visions of the future of Germany by the allies and the USSR led to a split in the country and predetermined the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR.

Education Germany

The western zones needed full unification and official state status. In 1948, consultations between Western allied countries took place. The outcome of the meetings was the idea of ​​creating a West German state. In the same year, the French occupation zone also joined Bisonia - thus the so-called Trizonia was formed. The Western lands carried out a monetary reform with the introduction of their own currency. The military governors of the united lands proclaimed the principles and conditions for the creation of a new state, placing special emphasis on its federalism. In May 1949, the preparation and discussion of its Constitution ended. The state was named Germany. The decoding of the name sounds like Germany. Thus, the proposals of land self-government bodies were taken into account, and republican principles of governing the country were outlined.

Geographically, the new country was located on 3/4 of the lands occupied by the former Germany. Germany had its own capital - the city of Bonn. The governments of the anti-Hitler coalition, through their governors, exercised control over the observance of the rights and norms of the constitutional system, controlled its foreign policy, and had the right to intervene in all spheres of economic and scientific activity of the state. Over time, the status of the lands was revised in favor of greater independence for the lands of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Education of the GDR

The process of state creation also took place in the eastern German lands occupied by the troops of the Soviet Union. The controlling body in the east was SVAG - the Soviet Military Administration. Under the control of SVAG, local government bodies - lantdagi - were created. Marshal Zhukov was appointed commander-in-chief of the SVAG, and in fact the master of East Germany. Elections to the new government bodies were held according to the laws of the USSR, that is, on a class basis. By special order of February 25, 1947, the Prussian state was liquidated. Its territory was divided between new lands. Part of the territory went to the newly formed Kaliningrad region, all settlements of the former Prussia were Russified and renamed, and the territory was populated by Russian settlers.

Officially, SVAG maintained military control over the territory of East Germany. Administrative control was carried out by the central committee of the SED, which was completely controlled by the military administration. The first step was the nationalization of enterprises and lands, confiscation of property and its distribution on a socialist basis. In the process of redistribution, an administrative apparatus was formed that took on the functions of state control. In December 1947, the German People's Congress began to function. In theory, the Congress was supposed to unite the interests of West and East Germans, but in fact in the Western lands its influence was insignificant. After the separation of the western lands, the NOC began to perform the functions of parliament exclusively in the eastern territories. The Second National Congress, formed in March 1948, carried out the main events related to the Constitution of the emerging country being prepared. By special order, the German mark was issued - thus, the five German states located in the zone of Soviet occupation switched to a single monetary unit. In May 1949, the Socialist Constitution was adopted and the Inter-Party Social and Political National Front was formed. The preparation of the eastern lands for the formation of a new state was completed. On October 7, 1949, at a meeting of the German Supreme Council, the creation of a new body of supreme state power, called the Provisional People's Chamber, was announced. In fact, this day can be considered the date of birth of a new state created in opposition to the Federal Republic of Germany. Decoding the name of the new state in East Germany - the German Democratic Republic, East Berlin became the capital of the GDR. The status was specified separately. For many years, the ancient city was divided into two parts by the Berlin Wall.

Development of Germany

The development of countries such as the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic was carried out using different economic systems. The Marshall Plan and the effective economic policies of Ludwig Erhrad allowed the economy to quickly grow in West Germany. Large GDP growth was announced. Guest workers arriving from the Middle East provided an influx of cheap labor. In the 50s, the ruling CDU party adopted a number of important laws. These include a ban on the activities of the Communist Party, the elimination of all consequences of Nazi activities, and a ban on certain professions. In 1955, the Federal Republic of Germany joined NATO.

Development of the GDR

The self-government bodies of the GDR, which were in charge of the administration of the German lands, ceased to exist in 1956, when a decision was made to liquidate local self-government bodies. The lands began to be called districts, and district councils began to represent the executive power. At the same time, the personality cult of advanced communist ideologists began to be implanted. The policy of Sovietization and nationalization led to the fact that the process of restoration of the post-war country was greatly delayed, especially against the backdrop of the economic successes of Germany.

Settlement of relations between the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany

Deciphering the contradictions between the two fragments of one state gradually normalized relations between the countries. In 1973, the Treaty came into force. He regulated relations between Germany and the GDR. In November of the same year, Germany recognized the GDR as an independent state, and the countries established diplomatic relations. The idea of ​​​​creating a single German nation was introduced into the Constitution of the GDR.

End of the GDR

In 1989, a powerful political movement, the New Forum, emerged in the GDR, which provoked a series of disturbances and demonstrations in all major cities of East Germany. As a result of the resignation of the government, one of the activists of the New Norum, G. Gysi, became the chairman of the SED. The mass rally that took place on November 4, 1989 in Berlin, at which demands for freedom of speech, assembly and expression of will were proclaimed, had already been agreed upon with the authorities. The response was a law allowing GDR citizens to cross without a valid reason. This decision was the reason for the division of the German capital for many years.

In 1990, the Christian Democratic Union came to power in the GDR, which immediately began to consult with the German government on the issue of uniting countries and creating a single state. On September 12, an agreement was signed in Moscow between representatives of the former allies of the anti-Hitler coalition on the final settlement of the German question.

The unification of Germany and the GDR would have been impossible without the introduction of a single currency. An important step in this process was the recognition of the German Deutsche Mark as a common currency throughout Germany. On August 23, 1990, the People's Chamber of the GDR decided to annex the eastern lands to the Federal Republic of Germany. After this, a series of transformations were carried out that eliminated socialist institutions of power and reorganized state bodies along the West German model. On October 3, the army and navy of the GDR were abolished, and instead of them, the Bundesmarine and Bundeswehr - the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany - were stationed in the eastern territories. The decoding of the names is based on the word "Bundes", which means "federal". The official recognition of the eastern lands as part of the Federal Republic of Germany was secured by the adoption of new subjects of state law by the Constitutions.

In a review based on a German publication for foreign countries, we will find out why Bonn was chosen as the “temporary capital” of the Federal Republic of Germany (and it was, recall, the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany from November 3, 1949 to October 3, 1990). And what can you see from the symbols of the “temporary capital” period in modern Bonn.

A 1986 German stamp depicting the Bundestag (Parliament) building of the Federal Republic of Germany (the complex is known as the Federation House - Bundeshaus) in the then "temporary capital" Bonn.

Why Bonn was chosen as the "temporary capital" of the Federal Republic of Germany, or a recognized but unrepresentable capital

In the photo in the article we see the then President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Richard von Weizsäcker (in office from 1984 to 1994) and the Mayor of Bonn.

When was Bonn still“temporary capital”, in April, No. 4, 1986, of the magazine “Guten Tag” (Good day!) - published in Russian from 1979 to the mid-1990s by the press and information department of the Federal Government of the Federal Republic Germany) the article “Bonn. Recognized capital". It opened with the words:

“On May 10, 1949, the Parliamentary Council (65 people from among the deputies of the Landtags of West German states), authorized to develop the Basic Law, declared Bonn the temporary capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, which was in the process of becoming. The decision was made by 33 votes to 29 (at the same time, the issue of the capital was not mentioned in the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany adopted by the Parliamentary Council on May 8, 1949, which serves as the country’s constitution. Note site). The vote meant that the small town on the Rhine was favored over its strongest rival Frankfurt am Main. In the reputable Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung one could then read the following skeptical comment: “Whoever you listen to, one gets the impression that in addition to the 33 deputies who spoke in favor of Bonn at the decisive stage of the vote, and the two dozen students who applauded from the stands, spirit of local patriotism, few people in Germany are seriously of the opinion that this city can really cope with the task entrusted to it.” And now, after almost four decades, it can be argued that doubts about Bonn’s ability to establish itself as a capital and political center turned out to be unfounded...

Bonn has become a real capital. And although it is difficult to compare with well-known, respectable metropolises of other countries, the city still has its own special charm.”

Next, the magazine offered a note from its author, Reinhard Meier, a correspondent for the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper in Bonn (from 1974 to 1979 he worked as a correspondent for this Swiss newspaper in Moscow). Let's quote this note (spelling features are preserved):

« Konrad Adenauer, Chairman of the Parliamentary Council and first Federal Chancellor(years of life: 1876-1967; Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1963. Note. Former mayor of Cologne (was mayor of Cologne in 1917-1933. Note website), who lived for many years in the town of Rendorf, which south of Bonn, had, with his characteristic political insight and tactical dexterity, a decisive influence on the choice of the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (in the original publication of the magazine "Guten Tag" it is indicated as the "Federal Republic of Germany" - the magazine used the name of its country in 1990 so that not to irritate the Soviet authorities, because at that time there were two Germanys, although the country was, in fact, called the Federal Republic of Germany. (he was then 73 years old) only so persistently advocated for Bonn in order to have a residence almost a stone's throw from home, although, of course, the desire to get comfortable still played a certain role.

For Adenauer, Bonn was, and perhaps not least, a symbol of the beginning of a truly new statehood. After the fall of Bismarck's empire and the collapse of Hitler's totalitarian state of injustice - both events ending in catastrophe on a European scale - Bonn made more modest claims in terms of political power. In addition, the city’s geographical location on the Rhine symbolized the close connection of the new German state with the West, which for Adenauer was undoubtedly important and paramount.

Decision in favor of a temporary measure

The vote at the founding assembly on May 10, 1949 did not at all mean the end of the struggle around Bonn, since it was a question of a temporary solution. Therefore, Frankfurt's supporters - primarily the Social Democrats led by Kurt Schumacher - were not going to admit defeat. And very important arguments were put forward in favor of Frankfurt. After all, glorious pages of German history were associated with this ancient imperial city, in which German emperors were crowned. It is enough to mention only the experiment with the democratic all-German Frankfurt National Assembly in 1848-49. (This refers to the adoption of the first democratic constitution in Germany in 1849. Note website)...

But it was these historical premises that, paradoxically, were the argument against Frankfurt when the final vote was held in the then established German Bundestag on November 3, 1949. For many deputies it became clear that the choice of a large city on the Main as the new capital would mean something final, historically irreversible. Conversely, the small city of Bonn could perfectly express the temporary nature of the choice. It was precisely this kind of temporary state solution that the Federal Republic of Germany was striving for at that time, which was generally considered to be a given until the desired reunification, which many then counted on in the near future, was achieved.

It was precisely for these reasons that, for example, representatives of (Western) Berlin—invited, by the way, to the meeting of the German Bundestag as guests—resolutely rejected the choice of Frankfurt. The then mayor of Berlin (West), Social Democrat Ernst Reuter, expressed his point of view in an expressive formula: “If Frankfurt becomes the capital, Berlin will never be one again.”

So, on the evening of November 3, 1949, a secret vote took place in the German Bundestag, as a result of which, to the surprise of everyone, a decision was made by an overwhelming majority (200 to 176) to leave Bonn as the capital of the new Federal Republic of Germany.

At first it was not so easy for the ancient Rhineland residence to seriously establish itself in the general consciousness as a capital. Publicist Sebastian Haffner, assessing the importance of the capital, once noted that although politics is made in Bonn, history is made in other cities. Heinrich Böll, a prominent representative of the inhabitants of the Rhineland, was quicker than his other fellow writers to appreciate the advantages of Bonn. The hero of his novel Through the Eyes of a Clown, Hans Schier, reflects on the difficulties associated with recognition of the capital: “It has always been incomprehensible to me why anyone who would like to be known as an intellectual considers himself obliged at all costs to declare his opposition to Bonn. Bonn has always concealed a certain charm, a soporific charm, just as there are women whose drowsiness seems charming to me.”

And in another place, Böll’s clown says: “The city is really beautiful: the cathedral, the roofs of the former castle of the Electors, the monument to Beethoven (Beethoven was born in Bonn. Note.. It’s the fate of Bonn that they don’t believe in its fate.”

Synonym for the Federal Republic of Germany

Nowadays, more than twenty years after the publication of Böll's novel, the question of whether Bonn is the real capital of the federation is no longer raised. As the seat of government and political center, Bonn became an integral part of the statehood of the Federal Republic of Germany. Just as in the language of politicians, when speaking about Washington or Paris, it is customary to mean the USA or France, so Bonn for the whole world is synonymous with the Federal Republic of Germany. And as the idea of ​​a temporary measure loses its significance, fewer and fewer prejudices are leveled against the capital. Over the four decades of its eventful history, the capital has transformed from an initially temporary measure into a reality that has acquired its own, incomparable traditions and, with them, a historical right to exist.

Bonn, as the mayor of the city Hans Daniels once said, is a city without triumphal arches. Perhaps only in a few European capitals is politics conducted in such outwardly unattractive premises as in Bonn.

A striking example of such a “lack” of external splendor is the building of the German Bundestag, which in 1949 was temporarily sheltered in the former Pedagogical Academy on the banks of the Rhine, where it remains to this day. One Italian journalist very strikingly compared the simple, unadorned building to an indoor swimming pool. But it was precisely this undistinguished parliament building that most closely merged in the public consciousness with the most vital and stable democracy that has ever existed on German soil. Decisions were made here that can rightfully be called historical, and significant battles of oratory were played out here. And no one was really upset when, a couple of years ago, gigantic plans for the reconstruction of the Bundestag quarter were again shelved due to lack of funds, and instead had to be content with a more modest program of construction work. In this way, the main symbol of continuity and the familiar appearance of parliament would be preserved.

Centuries-old history

Bonn, although it is the youngest among other European capitals, however, the reproach of “unhistoricity”, which can be heard from time to time from superficial critics, has little to do with reality. Bonn is rather one of the oldest German cities. Like many famous cities, the Rhineland settlement arose from a Roman garrison. In 1989, the 2000th anniversary of the city's existence will be celebrated - not without pomp. In the 14th century, Bonn served as a coronation venue twice. In 1314, in the city's cathedral, Frederick the Fair of Austria was anointed king, and in 1346 it was the Luxembourger Charles IV, who received the royal crown in the same cathedral (to confirm the impression, the ritual was repeated three years later in Aachen, which in this regard had richer tradition).

In 1600, the Electors of Cologne finally turned Bonn into the government seat of their archbishopric, after various disagreements had left the seat (long before 1600) outside the city of Cologne.

Bonn owes this honor of being called the capital given to the city by the Electors a number of beautiful architectural monuments. These include the Elector's Palace in the city center, where a university was founded after the Napoleonic Wars, when the Rhineland came under Prussian rule. The university, in turn, connects Bonn with the names of many celebrities of German and European spiritual culture...

True, the University of Bonn - it ranks sixth in size among universities in the Federal Republic of Germany (number of students is about 40 thousand) - is also associated with a particularly unattractive event in German history: in 1936, the university deprived Thomas Mann of the title of honorary doctor. The writer, who lived in exile in Kusnacht, Switzerland, ended his response message with the following words: “Help, God, our darkened and tortured country and teach it to live in peace with the rest of the world and with itself!”

Thomas Mann, perhaps, could not have known about the fact that Bonn would one day become a political center that lives much better with itself and with the rest of the world than previous government governments tried to do.

After Bonn became the capital, it was often awarded the title of "Bundesdorf" (federal village). This ironic designation was not primarily addressed to the political life of Bonn, which, with its scandals and daily unrest, although it brings grief from time to time, nevertheless, in general, corresponds to the requirements of a modern democracy, burning with curiosity, and to such an extent that it does not one has to be “embarrassed” when compared with other parliamentary capitals.

What many criticize Bonn for is that the capital does not yet boast the atmosphere of a city of global importance, that it does not influence modern cultural life, in short, that it still has nothing to offer except politics. Real Bonnets and experienced experts of the city perceive such complaints without undue drama. They know well that Bonn, with its rustic suburbs between the gentle hills of Semigorye and Mount Venus (Venusberg, Mount Venus, on which part of the urban areas of Bonn is located. Note site) has its attractive sides, which do not become a revelation suddenly and not for everyone newbie. And whoever needs the entertainment of a big city can always find it in Cologne or Düsseldorf, which are just a stone's throw from Bonn.

For several years now, however, Bonn - this applies, at least, to the programs offered by theaters and opera - has ceased to “go to the provincials.” Since the state itself does not skimp on encouraging the cultural life of the capital, the Bonn theaters, thanks to high rates for actors, managed to take a place among the first in the theatrical life of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is also evidenced by the fact that the popular Bonn scandals, which provide sensations not only to local newspapers, have recently no longer played out exclusively on the political stage. Another confirmation that we are talking about a “real” capital,” wrote the magazine “Guten Tag”, No. 4, April 1986. Bonn then had just over four years left to become the capital. But no one could talk about this with confidence. Now we can say that Bonn at the time of parting with its status as a “temporary capital” was still a recognized capital (as the title of the Guten Tag publication said), but an unrepresentable capital. As it was in 1986 ., which, in general, was what the publication “Guten Tag” cited above said..

And as we also found out from the above note, it was precisely because of its unpresentableness and provincialism that Bonn became the capital: “the small city of Bonn could most reliably express the temporary nature of the choice.”

Sights of Bonn during the “temporary capital” period

However, despite the fact that it was an unpresentable capital, Bonn, from the very fact of being located for more than forty years in the city of the “temporary capital”, received many interesting attractions related to the political history of the Federal Republic of Germany of the corresponding period. And this cannot be taken away, although after the transfer of the capital Bonn experienced a shock.

The Russian edition of Deutsche Welle stated in its note on the topic dated 11/12/2012:

“June 20, 1991 could have been a dark day in the 2000-year history of Bonn. After long debates in the Bundestag, with a slight margin, it was decided to move the government and parliament to the capital of the united Germany - Berlin (Before that, the 1990 Unification Treaty had already stated that “the capital of Germany is Berlin. The question of the location of the parliament and government will be decided after the completion of the process of German unification” End of quote.

It seemed that the times when the name of the former cozy residence of the electors on the Rhine was pronounced along with the great capitals of the world were inexorably approaching the end. Bonn, which then had a population of 290 thousand, could turn into a province.

“Of course it was a shock. No one expected this,” recalls the current mayor of Bonn, Jürgen Nimptsch. Before this decision was made, the city lived and prospered almost exclusively due to its "metropolitan" status. Bonn was something of a monostructure focused on government activities. What could happen if politicians, MPs and officials moved to Berlin overnight?

The worst fears disappeared after the Bundestag adopted on April 26, 1994 a law on the transfer of ministries to Berlin, according to which Bonn retained important political functions for a long time. Thus, 6 out of 15 federal ministries remained in Bonn...

In addition, numerous federal institutions, including the Federal Audit Office (Bundesrechnungshof) and the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt), moved from other cities to Bonn. Money also flowed into the city treasury: the most important points of the law on the transfer of ministries to Berlin include the payment of compensation in the amount of more than 1.4 billion euros to Bonn and its surroundings...

Bonn managed to attract such concerns as Deutsche Post and Deutsche Telekom, as well as to locate UN structures in the city, of which there are now 18. Deutsche Welle is also part of the success story of the new Bonn. The German public media company, which broadcasts abroad, moved from neighboring Cologne in 2003 to a new building that members of the Bundestag had originally planned to use. One of the main arguments attracting large and small institutions and enterprises to the region is the presence of infrastructure that has been well-functioning since the “capital” times. Whether it’s the metro, the airport, the autobahn network, the university or the opera – Bonn has almost everything that a city of many thousands can boast of,” the station noted.

According to statistics for 2016, about 7,000 government officials continue to work in Bonn, the main offices of six ministries, some departments, and other official institutions and organizations are located. So Bonn somehow survives.

And then about some of the sights of Bonn from the period of the temporary capital. At the same time, we note that since Bonn was considered as the “temporary capital” of the Federal Republic of Germany, the authorities of the Federal Republic were extremely reluctant to make decisions about the construction of any objects, especially any monumental ones, to house government bodies here, building modestly and often generally preferring to adapt existing buildings.

So, the main surviving sights of Bonn from the period of its “temporary capital” of the Federal Republic of Germany (in the information below, we rely on the relevant information from Deutsche Welle dated June 28, 2016):

Former parliament buildings

From a postcard from 1953: the building of the Bundestag (Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany), a complex known as the Federation House (Bundeshaus), on the banks of the Rhine, in the then “temporary capital” of Bonn.

On the postcard, of course, the noticeable thirty-story high-rise building “Langer Eugen”, that is, “Long Eugen”, which, as part of the parliament, was built only in 1969, is still missing, but a number of new extensions are already visible, which began to be built in the first years placement of the parliament here to the former building of the Bonn Pedagogical Academy (on the far left of the photo), where the Bundestag actually opened in 1949.

Federation House (Bundeshaus). Partly adapted, partly built, the buildings of the Bundeshaus complex on the banks of the Rhine housed both houses of the federal parliament: the Bundesrat and the Bundestag. The very first building of the parliamentary complex is a building built before the war - from 1930 to 1933. as the new building of the Bonn Pedagogical Academy. It was in the northern wing of the former academy that the Basic Law (Constitution) of the Federal Republic of Germany was developed in 1948-1949.

The first Bundestag began to work in the mentioned building former Pedagogical Academy, rebuilt in just seven months, in September 1949. A few years later, a new eight-story office building for deputies was erected nearby. The Bundestag met in its first plenary hall until 1988. Then it was demolished and a new hall was built in the same place, which was used before moving to Berlin (now in this very last parliamentary building - with glass walls, where the new plenary hall of the Bundestag , located World Conference Center Bonn).

In the illustration: Altes Wasserwerk is an old water pumping station built in the 19th century, built on the banks of the Rhine, in which plenary sessions of the Bundestag (Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany) were held from September 1986 to October 1992, while another parliamentary plenary hall was being built nearby, to replace the one that was then demolished.

Nowadays the plenary hall of the old water pump is used by the UN.

From September 1986 to October 1992, plenary sessions of the Bundestag, while the new hall was being built, were temporarily held in a former water station on the banks of the Rhine - Altes Wasserwerk, built in neo-Gothic style in 1875.

Let us note that back in 1958 the water pumping station was taken out of operation. The building was purchased by the government and became part of the parliamentary complex.

On October 3, 1990, on the day of the country's reunification, Berlin again became the capital of a united Germany, but the question of where the government would work remained open. The place where the historic decision to move the capital from Bonn to Berlin was made was the plenary hall in the old water pump. This happened on June 20, 1991, after a heated ten-hour debate. The margin was only 18 votes. Today, the Wasserwerk plenary hall is used by UN agencies.

The former Bonn complex of buildings of the Bundestag (Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany), the complex is known as the Federation House (Bundeshaus), on the banks of the Rhine, today.

As we can see since 1949, many additions have been made to the former building of the Bonn Pedagogical Academy (on the very right side of the photo - a long building standing parallel to the water), where the Bundestag was originally located.

So, we see the thirty-story high-rise building “Langer Eugen”, that is, “Long Eugen” (the high-rise building to the left of the center of the photo, near the water), which was built as part of the parliament in 1969. It now houses United Nations agencies - United Nations Campus Bonn.

Directly behind the Long Eugen building you can see low, elongated white buildings - this is also part of the former parliamentary complex. Now they house the foreign broadcaster of the Federal Republic of Germany, Deutsche Welle, which moved here from Cologne in 2003.

We also see the so-called built only in 1992. the new plenary building of the Bundestag (a rectangular building with a flat roof, adjacent to the left of the former building of the Bonn Pedagogical Academy), which now houses the World Conference Center Bonn.

Around the former parliamentary complex there is now active construction of business facilities (Bonn is trying to make money), and the new skyscraper Post Tower (pictured left, with the inscription DHL) built in 2002 has been occupied by the management of the privatized German Post Office (Deutsche Bundespost).

Another building related to the German parliament is a thirty-story high-rise building "Langer Eugen", that is, "Long Eugen". So he was nicknamed in honor of the Chairman of the Bundestag Eugen Gerstenmaier(Eugen Karl Albrecht Gerstenmaier, served as Chairman of the Bundestag from 1954 to 1969) under whom this project was developed. The building was built to house the offices of deputies; it was built between 1966 and 1969. Moreover, the project was developed taking into account the fact that Bonn is the temporary capital of Germany, i.e. it was envisaged that in the event of the return of the capital to Berlin, the Long Eugen building could be easily repurposed. The opening ceremony of the building took place on May 10, 1968, and on February 29, 1969, the first deputies took their offices. Some consider the Long Eugen to be Bonn's ugliest building. Since 2006, it has housed United Nations agencies, united under the name United Nations Campus Bonn.

A slightly different angle and a larger view of the former Bonn complex of Bundestag buildings (Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany), the complex is known as the Federation House (Bundeshaus), on the banks of the Rhine - and, in addition, we see in the picture the former so-called the new Federal Chancellery building (Bundeskanzleramtsgebäude, also the former Office of the Federal Chancellor - a building under a brown roof, next to it there is a green lawn - on the far right of the photo), built in 1976, and which the Federal Chancellors left in 1999 when they moved to Berlin (now the building houses the Federal Office for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung).

the high-rise building "Langer Eugen" ("Long Eugen"), now occupied by United Nations agencies - United Nations Campus Bonn - on the far left in the picture;

the low, elongated white buildings behind the Long Eugen are also part of the former parliamentary complex; they now house the foreign broadcaster of the Federal Republic of Germany, Deutsche Welle, which moved here from Cologne in 2003;

built only in 1992 so-called. the new plenary building of the Bundestag (pictured is a rectangular dark gray roof with lighter twelve squares on top), now the World Conference Center Bonn;

the former building of the Bonn Pedagogical Academy - the original building of the formed parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany - since 1949 (elongated buildings, on the far right side of the picture - near the water, diagonally from the building of the former academy we can also see a modern sculptural composition in red color L "Allume, erected in 1990 year and symbolizing the connection with the Rhine)

the building of a former water station on the banks of the Rhine - Altes Wasserwerk (among the trees, near the water, on the right side of the picture) - the oldest building in terms of construction time of all the buildings of the former parliamentary complex, built back in 1875, in which from September 1986 to October In 1992, while the new plenary hall of the Bundestag was being built, plenary sessions of the Bundestag were held (nowadays the Altes Wasserwerk plenary hall is used by UN agencies).

We also mention the building of the German History Museum visible in the picture (Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik, in the background of the picture, almost in the center), opened in 1994, with a tour of the exhibition of which usually begins a tour of the government buildings of the former “temporary capital” located right there nearby.

Next to the Long Eugen, also in the former parliament buildings, is the headquarters of the foreign broadcasting service of the Federal Republic of Germany - Germany - Deutsche Welle (Deutsche Welle, - as of 2018, operates in 30 languages, including Russian and Ukrainian) .

In 2002, in close proximity to the former parliamentary complex, the Post Tower was built - the new headquarters of the privatized German post office (Deutsche Bundespost) and the tallest building in Germany outside Frankfurt am Main (41 floors, plus 5 underground floors).

Executive branch buildings

A 1986 stamp of the Federal Republic of Germany depicting the building of the Zoological Museum (Das Zoologische Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig) in Bonn, in the museum building on September 1, 1948, the Parliamentary Council initially met to draft the country's Constitution, and from September to November 1949, after its election Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer used this Zoological Museum building as his official residence (Adenauer's office is preserved here as a memorial).

The stamp was issued in a block of three Grundgedanken der Demokratie, bedeutende Gebäude der deutschen Geschichte ("Important buildings of German history expressing the basic ideas of democracy").

Initially, the Office of the Federal Chancellor of the new Germany was located in the local state Zoological Museum (Das Zoologische Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig), since in Bonn after the end of the war it was extremely difficult to find intact public representative buildings (the southern wing of the Zoological Museum was also damaged, but was soon repaired). AND It was in the large hall of the museum that the Parliamentary Council initially met on September 1, 1948 to develop the country’s Constitution. The parliamentary council met in the hall where exhibits were usually displayed, and some remained in their place - stuffed giraffes, which would have been extremely laborious to move to another place, were simply draped.

After his election as Federal Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer spent two months, from September 1949 ., used the building of the Zoological Museum as his official residence. His office was located in the ornithological library (Adenauer's office is preserved here as a memorial), and office meetings were held in the lecture hall. Soon, however, the chancellor moved to a new residence - to the nearby Schaumburg Palace.

And at the museum, which reopened in 1950, the building housed the offices of several federal departments, including the Marshall Plan, before 1957.

From November 1949 to July 1976 the building of the Schaumburg Palace (Palais Schaumburg, in the illustration) served as the seat of the Office of the Federal Chancellor (chancellors Konrad Adenauer, Ludwig Erhard, Kurt Georg Kiesinger, Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt worked in the building).

Some of the services of the Office of the Federal Chancellor still occupy the Schaumburg Palace, despite the fact that since 1999 the Federal Chancellery has moved to Berlin.

As already said above, After a short stay in the building of the Zoological Museum (Das Zoologische Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig), the Office of the Federal Chancellor moved to Schaumburg Palace (Palais Schaumburg), where the chancellor's apartment was also located. Schaumburg Palace was built in 1860 by order of a textile manufacturer, later purchased by Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe and rebuilt in the style of late classicism. Since 1939, the building was at the disposal of the Wehrmacht, and in 1945 it was transferred to the command of the Belgian units in occupied Germany. From November 1949 to July 1976 The Schaumburg Palace building, which underwent major reconstruction and expansion in the 1950s, served as the seat of the Office of the Federal Chancellor (Chancellors Konrad Adenauer, Ludwig Erhard, Kurt Georg Kiesinger, Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt worked in the building).

In the illustration: the former so-called the new Federal Chancellery building (Bundeskanzleramtsgebäude, also known as the former Office of the Federal Chancellery, in Bonn, built in 1976

In front of him, in the photo, is a sculpture known as the “large two forms” (“large two forms”), installed on the lawn in front of the entrance to the office in 1979 (the work of the British sculptor Henry Moore and symbolizing the inseparability of the two the then divided German states.

Today, this former chancellery building, which the chancellors left in 1999 when they moved to Berlin, houses the Federal Office for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung).

Some of the services of the Office of the Federal Chancellor still occupy the Schaumburg Palace, despite the fact that in 1976 . The department received new building of the Federal Chancellery (Bundeskanzleramtsgebäude), and with 1999 . chancellors moved to Berlin.

The aforementioned former Federal Chancellery building, also the former Federal Chancellery building, built in 1976, now houses the Federal Office for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung).

Monument to the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic Konrad Adenauer (Konrad-Adenauer-Denkmal) in Bonn, near the former so-called. the new Federal Chancellery building (Bundeskanzleramtsgebäude).

Opened in 1982, the monument is interesting for its unusual presentation of events from the hero’s life. On the back of the head of the monument-head of Konrad Adenauer are depicted: a cross as a sign of his commitment to the Christian faith and leadership in the Christian Democratic Union party; Cologne Cathedral as a sign of Adenauer's mayorship in Cologne in 1917-1933, the Prussian eagle as a sign of Adenauer's presidency in the Prussian State Council in 1922-1933; the tied hands represent the difficult times of the Nazi dictatorship for Adenauer; the Reims Cathedral represents the reconciliation of Germany with France, which was carried out in the post-war period during the years of the chancellorship of Konrad Adenauer; roses as a reminder of his favorite flowers and the rebirth of Germany after World War II; the image of Adenauer speaking represents the time of Konrad Adenauer's chancellorship in 1949-1963; an allegorical image of Europe with a bull as the personification of Germany’s European path; the Rhineland landscape as an attachment to the local region.

Note that one of the most interesting monuments of the former government quarter of Bonn is located right next to the former Federal Chancellery monument to the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic Konrad Adenauer (Konrad-Adenauer-Denkmal, address: Adenauerallee 216), the work of the modern German sculptor Hubertus von Pilgrim, installed in May 1982 (the monument was opened by Federal President Karl Walter Claus Carstens and Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, and the monument was a gift from the federal government to the city of Bonn).

The monument is interesting for its unusual presentation of events from the hero’s life. On the back of the head of the monument-head of Konrad Adenauer are depicted: a cross as a sign of his commitment to the Christian faith and leadership in the Christian Democratic Union party; Cologne Cathedral as a sign of Adenauer's mayorship in Cologne in 1917-1933, the Prussian eagle as a sign of Adenauer's presidency in the Prussian State Council in 1922-1933; the tied hands represent the difficult times of the Nazi dictatorship for Adenauer; the Reims Cathedral represents the reconciliation of Germany with France, which was carried out in the post-war period during the years of the chancellorship of Konrad Adenauer; roses as a reminder of his favorite flowers and the rebirth of Germany after World War II; the image of Adenauer speaking represents the time of Konrad Adenauer's chancellorship in 1949-1963; an allegorical image of Europe with a bull as the personification of Germany’s European path; the Rhineland landscape as an attachment to the local region.

Among other interesting places associated with the stay of federal chancellors in Beaune, it is necessary to mention the so-called. Chancellor's Bungalow- residential and representative residence of chancellors, starting from 1964 ., and until 1999, when the current chancellors began to live in Berlin. The Chancellor's Bungalow is located in a park between the former Federal Chancellery (now the Federal Office for Economic Cooperation and Development), built in 1974, and Schaumburg Palace. It stands approximately on the site of Villa Selve, which was badly damaged during the Second World War, which was demolished in 1955, finding itself in the middle of government buildings, including the nearby Villa Hammerschmidt, which became the residence of the federal president in 1950.

The first owner of the Chancellor Bungalow (Kanzlerbungalow) in 1964 was Federal Chancellor Ludwig Erhard. Then Kurt Georg Kiesinger lived in the assignment (who received the chancellorship after him, Willy Brandt remained to live in the official villa of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and used the bungalow only for receptions) and after him Helmut Schmidt. Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl lived and worked here longer than others - seventeen years - from 1982 to 1999).

The bungalows also have a swimming pool. At the Kanzlerbungalow residence, the chancellors also received high-ranking foreign guests, including Queen Elizabeth II of England and Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Currently, the chancellor's bungalow is empty, but periodic excursions are held and a small exhibition is displayed in the building.

Not far from Kanzlerbungalow there is also the so-called. Kanzler-Teehaus - so-called “Chancellor's Tea House” is a house for relaxation and private receptions of the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic, Konrad Adenauer, built at his request by the German state in 1955 . and was part of the park at Schaumburg Palace. Guided tours are currently available at the Kanzler-Teehaus.

And finally, among the government buildings in Bonn it is necessary to mention the already mentioned above residence of the federal president, Villa Hammerschmidt . After the unification of Germany and the transfer of the capital, the main residence of the president became the Bellevue Palace (Schloss Bellevue) in Berlin, the Hammerschmidt Villa is the so-called. "second residence" of the president.

Villa Hammerschmidt is named after the entrepreneur Rudolf Hammerschmidt, who purchased this villa in 1899 from the previous owner, the Russian German Leopold Egorovich Koenig, who in turn bought the villa from the family of the entrepreneur Troost, her and built in 1862

All of the above-mentioned government buildings in Bonn are located in close proximity to each other and are included in the excursion route known as the "Way of Democracy" (Weg der Demokratie), showing the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany when Bonn was its "temporary capital". Information boards are installed near each of the notable buildings along this route.

Museums of the history of Germany

And the above-mentioned route “Path of Democracy” begins at the Museum of German History(Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik, address: Willy-Brandt-Allee 14), located slightly diagonally from the so-called built in 1976. the former new building of the Federal Chancellery (Bundeskanzleramtsgebäude), also the former building of the Federal Chancellery. The museum was opened in 1994, and is now one of the most visited museums in Germany - about 850 thousand people annually.

This review was compiled by the site based on the following materials: the note “Recognized Capital” from No. 4, 1986 of the magazine “Guten Tag” (Good Day!) - published in Russian from 1979 to the mid-1990s by the press department and information from the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Germany); two notes from the foreign broadcasting service of the Federal Republic of Germany - Germany - Deutsche Welle dated 12/11/2012 and 28/06/2016; other sources.

Federal Republic of Germany(German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland), Germany (BRD) was proclaimed on May 23, 1949 in the territories located in the American, British and French zones of occupation of Nazi Germany (Trisonia). It was assumed that subsequently the remaining German territories would also become part of the Federal Republic of Germany, which was provided for and ensured by special article 23 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. Due to the occupation of Berlin and giving it a special status, the capital of the state was temporarily moved to the provincial city of Bonn. In the same year, on October 7, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was proclaimed in the Soviet occupation zone with its capital in Berlin (de facto, only in the eastern part of the city under GDR control). For the next forty years, both German states existed in parallel; Moreover, until the beginning of the 1970s, the German authorities categorically did not recognize the existence of the GDR, and since the 1970s they have taken the path of its partial recognition. October 3, 1990 after peaceful revolution in the GDR?! its territory was integrated into the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with Article 23 of the German Constitution. At the same time, the capital was returned to Berlin.

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✪ Review of coin 2 Mark, Germany, 1978 / 2 Deutsche Mark, The Federal Republic of Germany, 1978

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I welcome everyone to my channel! Today I want to tell you about a 2 mark coin from the Federal Republic of Germany (or as West Germany is also called), 1978. This coin is a commemorative coin. It is dedicated to the twentieth anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany. Let me remind you that after the end of the Second World War, the territory of Germany was divided into 4 occupation zones: American, French, British and USSR. Subsequently, the 3 western zones merged into the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin, and the USSR zone turned into the GDR. But in 1989, after the dismantling of the Berlin Wall that separated the two republics, Germany united into one republic. This coin was minted from 1969 to 1987 at four mints in Munich, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Hamburg. I welcome everyone to my channel! I welcome everyone. The coin from my collection was minted in Stuttgart in 1978 and its circulation is 3,743,636 copies. Let's look at the appearance of the coin. The designer of the obverse and reverse of the coin is Reingart Heinsdorff. The obverse of the coin depicts the coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany in the center - the Federal eagle without a shield. It has the same shape as the Federal Coat of Arms, but with feathers spread out. Under the right paw there is a letter (mint mark), in this case it is the letter F - the letter of the Stuttgart mint. Under the coat of arms is the denomination of the coin, with a large number 2 and further along the circumference you can read the denomination of the coin in words - German mark. On the opposite side is the name of the issuing country in the state language of the Federal Republic of Germany. Above the coat of arms you can read the year of issue of the coin, 1978. On the reverse of the coin in the center there is a profile looking to the left of Conrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer. (life 1876-1967) He ruled from 1949 and retired in 1963 due to his advanced age of eighty-seven years, and is one of the oldest heads of government in modern history. Under the portrait is the date 1949-1969 - the twentieth anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany. The name of the country is repeated around the circumference of the reverse - the Federal Republic of Germany in large letters. The inscription is enclosed between two hemispheres. The country's motto is embossed on the edge of the coin: Unity and Law and Freedom. The beginning and end of the motto is enclosed by two oak leaves. Also, each word is separated by one oak leaf. Coin characteristics: Coin material: copper-nickel alloy; Coin diameter: 26.5 mm; Coin weight: 7 grams; Edge thickness: 1.8 mm; Edge type: embossed; Mutual position of obverse and reverse: Medal (0 °) If you liked the video, put a like. If you don’t want to miss the next review of the coin, I recommend subscribing to the channel, also watch reviews of other coins! Thanks everyone for watching! See you!

Germany in the first years after the surrender

After the occupation of Germany by Allied forces (“Four Powers” ​​- USA, Great Britain, France and the USSR), its territory was divided into four zones of occupation - Soviet, French, British, American and the city of Berlin with a special status (also divided into four zones). By 1949, the Western powers consolidated the administration of their zones of occupation into Trizonia. The eastern part of Germany remained under Soviet control.

Proclamation of the Federal Republic of Germany

Political status and claims to all German territory

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany from the very beginning considered itself as the only legitimate representative of the entire German people, and the Federal Republic of Germany as the only successor state of the German Empire, and therefore had claims to all territories belonging to the German Empire as of December 31, 1937 (before the start of the military expansion of the Third Reich), including the territory of the GDR, West Berlin and the “former eastern regions” ceded to Poland and the USSR. The preamble of the German Constitution emphasized the desire of the German people for reunification in a single state. In the early years, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany avoided in every possible way any direct contacts with the government of the GDR in order to avoid the possible interpretation of such contacts as recognition of the GDR as an independent state.

The UK and US also held the view that the Federal Republic of Germany was the successor to the German Empire, but France supported the idea that the German Empire had completely disappeared as a state in 1945. US President Harry Truman opposed signing a peace treaty with Germany, since, in his opinion, this would mean recognizing the existence of two German states. At the New York conference of the foreign ministers of the three powers in 1950, the status of the Federal Republic of Germany was finally officially determined. The states recognized the West German government's claim to be the sole legitimate representative of the German people, but refused to recognize the West German government as the government of all Germany.

Due to the non-recognition of the GDR, German legislation recognized the continued existence single German citizenship, derived from citizenship of the German Empire, therefore called its citizens simply German citizens and did not consider the territory of the GDR to be foreign. For this reason, the German citizenship law of 1913 continued to operate in the country, and a new law on German citizenship was not adopted. It is interesting to note that the same German citizenship law of 1913 continued to apply in the GDR until 1967, and the GDR Constitution also recognized the existence of a single German citizenship. In practice, this situation meant that any “German citizen” from the GDR could officially obtain a foreign passport to Germany once on its territory. To prevent this, the GDR government legally prohibited its residents from receiving German passports. Only in 1967 in the GDR, instead German citizenship own GDR citizenship, which was given to all German citizens who lived on the territory of the GDR at the time of its creation and who did not lose the right to GDR citizenship for a number of reasons. In Germany, the existence of special citizenship of the GDR was officially recognized only in October 1987, when the Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany ruled that any person who received GDR citizenship by naturalization automatically receives German citizenship (essentially German citizenship).

Non-recognition of the existence of the GDR was also reflected in the designation of state borders in geographical atlases. Thus, in the maps published in Germany in 1951, there is still a unified Germany within the borders of 1937. At the same time, the border between Germany and the GDR, as well as the Oder/Neisse line (the new border with Poland) and the border between Poland and the USSR in East Prussia are indicated by barely visible dotted lines; the territories ceded to Poland and the USSR are still part of a unified Germany, although they are signed as “territories under Polish and Soviet control”, and the toponyms located on them still bear the old German names. There is also no question of the existence of the GDR. In the 1971 edition, these boundaries are already indicated by a clearer dashed line, but still differ from the line indicating state boundaries.

Economics and politics

Development within the country

Thanks to US assistance through the Marshall Plan, as well as the implementation of the country's economic development plans developed under the leadership of Ludwig Erhard, rapid economic growth was achieved in the 1950s (the German economic miracle), which lasted until 1965. To meet the need for cheap labor, Germany supported the influx of guest workers, mainly from Turkey.

Since 1954, on June 17, the country has celebrated “Day of German Unity” in honor of the performances of June 17, 1953 in East Berlin. With the abolition of the occupation regime on May 5, 1955, the Federal Republic of Germany officially became a sovereign state. At the same time, sovereignty extended only to the areas of validity of the “Basic Law” and did not include Berlin and other former territories of the German Empire.

Until 1969, the country was ruled by the CDU party (usually in a bloc with the CSU and less often with the FDP). In the 1950s, a number of emergency laws were developed, many organizations were banned, including the Communist Party, and bans on professions were introduced. The internal political course related to denazification, that is, eliminating the consequences of the Nazis being in power, and preventing the revival of Nazi ideology and organizations, was continued. In 1955, Germany joined NATO.

Foreign policy and relations with the GDR

The government of the Federal Republic of Germany not only did not recognize the existence of the GDR, but for a long time (from September 1955 to October 1969) adhered to the doctrine, according to which all diplomatic relations were severed with any states (the only exception was the USSR due to its belonging to the Four Powers) that officially recognized GDR. In practice, the severance of diplomatic relations for this reason occurred twice: in 1957 with Yugoslavia and in 1963 with Cuba.

After the construction of the Berlin Wall by the GDR authorities in 1961, discussions about the possible recognition of the GDR as an independent state began to appear more and more often in Germany. With Willy Brandt taking office as Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1969, a new stage began in relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR and between the Federal Republic of Germany and the socialist countries of Eastern Europe in general. The Moscow Treaty, signed in 1970, according to which Germany renounced its claims to the former eastern regions of the German Empire, which went to Poland and the USSR after the war, marked the beginning of the era of the “new Eastern policy”.

In 1969, the Social Democrats came to power. They recognized the inviolability of post-war borders, weakened emergency legislation, and carried out a number of social reforms. During the reign of federal chancellors Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt, there was a significant improvement in relations between Germany and the USSR, which was further developed in the policy of détente. The Moscow Treaty between the USSR and the Federal Republic of Germany in 1970 fixed the inviolability of borders, the renunciation of territorial claims (East Prussia) and declared the possibility of uniting the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. On December 21, 1972, the Fundamental Treaty was concluded between the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany. Subsequently, Social Democrats and Christian Democrats alternated in power.

In 1973, both German states were admitted to the UN after the Federal Republic of Germany recognized the state sovereignty of the GDR according to the rules of state law, although it did not recognize it