Deutschlandvertrag

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The Deutschlandvertrag (Germany Treaty, also called the Generalvertrag or General Treaty) is a treaty of international law which was signed by the Federal Republic of Germany (BRD or West Germany), and the Western Allies (France, Great Britain, and the USA on May 26, 1952, but which only took effect, with some slight changes, in 1955. It deals with the end of Germany's status as an occupied territory and gives it the rights of a sovereign state, with certain restrictions that remained in place until German reunification.

Attaining sovereignty had become neccesary in light of the rearmament efforts of the BRD. For this reason the Treaty only came to force when West Germany also joined the European Defense Community (EDC). Because the EDC Treaty was not approved by France's Parliament on August 30, 1954 the Deutschlandvertrag could not come into effect. After this failure, the EDC Treaty had to be reworked and the London Nine-Power Conference (also the London Acts) decided to allow West Germany to join NATO and for the creation of the Western European Union (not to be confused with the European Union). With this development, West Germany, under the leadership of Konrad Adenauer, in front of the backdrop of the Cold War became a fully trusted partner of the western allies and with the second draft of the Deutschlandvertrag, West Germany largely regained its sovereignty. The Allies, however retained some controls over Germany until 1991 (see further Two Plus Four Agreement).

After the ratification of the Paris Treaties on May 5, 1955 the Deutschlandvertrag took full effect.