169. When was the Federal Republic of Germany founded?

Answer options

1. 1. 1939
2. 2. 1945
3. 3. 1949
4. 4. 1951

Explanation

Legally, 23 May 1949 is regarded as the founding date of the Federal Republic of Germany: on that day the Basic Law was promulgated and entered into force, constituting the federal constitutional organs. The FRG arose in the Western occupation zones under the Occupation Statute and gradually gained sovereignty (Petersberg Agreement 1949; Germany Treaty/Bonn-Paris Conventions 1952/55). 1945 marks the end of the war and capitulation; 1951 is not a founding date; 1939 is the start of World War II. In constitutional doctrine, the Federal Constitutional Court has held that the FRG is not a new state but identical in law with the German Reich, albeit territorially and organizationally limited (BVerfGE 36, 1 – Basic Treaty).