Political history of Germany

Germany’s political history is marked by unification in 1871 under Prussia, leading to the German Empire. After World War I, the Weimar Republic emerged as a democratic government but faced economic hardship and political instability. The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party led to dictatorship and World War II. Post-1945, Germany was divided into East (communist) and West (democratic) during the Cold War. Reunification occurred in 1990, creating the current federal republic. Today, Germany is a stable parliamentary democracy, influential in European and global affairs.