Germany
From Free Talk Live
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Germany is a country in central Europe, and has the largest economy and population of any European Union member state.
It was first formed as a unified country in 1871. Prior to that what became Germany was a collection of city-states, kingdoms and principalities. The rule of the Kaisers from 1871 to 1918 was called the Second Reich.
After 1918, the Kaiser abdicated. The Weimar Republic was then instituted, which was characterised by gross economic problems. This contributed to the rise of Hitler and his election in 1933. He then abolished the liberal democratic structure and put into place an autocracy. This is called the Third Reich.
Hitler then invaded surrounding countries, which led to WWII. After Germany's defeat in WWII, it was split into a liberal democratic West Germany and a communist autocratic East Germany. In 1990, both countries reunited to form a new Federal Republic of Germany.
The current Chancellor of Germany is Angela Merkel, who is the first ever woman to hold that post.
