The end of the Second World War led to an unusually long period of European peace. The nation states of Europe were closer to each other than ever before. The twenty-seven states that made up Europe at that time changed to thirty-seven within fifty years of the end of the second world war. This time of peace allowed the European states to figure out their political and social problems. One strong example of this was Germany. This pivotal state was originally divided into four zones, slowly developed into two distinct states. The differences between the two states was purely based on the twelve years of Nazism. From here on Germany made a new stand for itself and the rest of Europe.
             After losing their closest ally, Italy, in 1940, Germany knew that it was time for a change. After the war, Germany was one of the only countries that didn't have massive devastation throughout the country. "A new constitution was drafted resulting in a political system relatively similar to that which preceded fascism and analogous to that of the French Fourth Republic."1 This political system was much like the parliamentary system that many European states used during the 1920's. Austria even claimed that they were forced into alliance with Germany, but it turned out to work to their advantage. Austria also returned to the parliamentary system.
             One major change after this was the call for a demilitarized Germany in the East. "It was only when they realized that the West would not accede to this request and after the Federal Republic was created that they authorized the formation of the GDR."1 This was generally know as the communist takeover of eastern Germany. The differences between the two sides became even more apparent after the construction of the Berlin wall. After Germany was divided into two parts, East Germany built the Berlin Wall to prevent its citizens from fleei
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