Key Idea: Western and northern Europe after 1945: the wartime allies split, Germany was divided, and western Europe rebuilt fast. Later, Spain moved from dictatorship to democracy and Germany reunited.
Cold War and recovery, 1945 to 1963
- Mistrust at Yalta and Potsdam led to the Truman Doctrine (1947).
- Germany: four zones, the Berlin Airlift (1948 to 1949), two states in 1949, the Wall in 1961.
- Marshall Plan (1948 to 1952): $13 billion, on condition that Europe cooperated.
- Adenauer's social market economy and de Gaulle's Fifth Republic (1958); France's Trente Glorieuses.
After 1963
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1969 | Brandt becomes Chancellor; Ostpolitik |
| 1975 | Franco dies; Juan Carlos becomes king |
| 1977 | German Autumn; Spain's first free elections in 41 years |
| 1978 | Spanish constitution approved |
| 1981 | Failed coup in Spain (23-F) |
| 1990 | German reunification under Kohl |
American money and strong leaders rebuilt the West; Spain and Germany each healed an old split.
Why did de Gaulle block Britain? He followed an independent line and vetoed British entry to the EEC.
What was Ostpolitik? Brandt's policy of dealing with East Germany and the East; it led to the Basic Treaty (1972).
Was the Marshall Plan the only cause of recovery? No. Weigh it against leaders like Adenauer and state planning.
Who led Spain's long socialist government? Felipe González, from 1982 to 1996.