The history of the Bonn Republic is a success story. What emerged as a provisional arrangement from the rubble of World War II solidified over forty years into a state that proved itself through numerous crises, thanks to political, social, and economic integration processes. Thomas Brechenmacher vividly describes the tumultuous political development of the Federal Republic of Germany from its founding in 1949 to the turning point of 1989/90. The volumes in the series "German History in the 20th Century" present the latest state of historical research in a clear, concise, and illustrative manner, complete with illustrations and literature recommendations.