Editing Hallstein Doctrine (section)

===Partition of Germany===
Following Germany's defeat in World War II, the territory east of the [[Oder–Neisse line]] was under Soviet or Polish administration and had ''[[de facto]]'' been annexed. The rest of the territory west of that was divided into four [[Allied-occupied Germany|occupation zones]] controlled by the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]], with the former capital, Berlin, being similarly divided into four sectors.<ref name="Spencer 1995"/>

The western zones controlled by France, the United Kingdom, and the United States were merged, in May 1949, to form the ''[[West Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]]'' (''Bundesrepublik Deutschland''); in October 1949, the Soviet Zone became the ''[[East Germany|German Democratic Republic]]'' (''Deutsche Demokratische Republik'', or DDR).<ref name="Spencer 1995"/> They were informally known as "West Germany" and "East Germany". However, prior to 1954, the Allies still officially retained responsibility for the whole of Germany and neither East Germany nor West Germany had regained their [[sovereignty]].

The [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany]], which came into effect in 1949, was written as a constitution for the whole of Germany, including West Germany and East Germany.<ref>Partly for this reason, this article often uses the official names "Federal Republic of Germany" (for what was commonly called West Germany) and "German Democratic Republic" (for what was commonly known as East Germany)</ref> It laid down [[German reunification]] as a goal and a requirement and was proclaimed in the name of the whole of the German people.<ref name="Basic Law"/>