# Basic Treaty (1972)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1972-basic-treaty
Location: East Berlin
Categories: main-event

On 21 December 1972 the two German states recognised each other. Both joined the United Nations in 1973. Relations improved.

## Why it matters
It normalised relations between the two German states.

Ruler at the time: [Willy Brandt](https://germany-history.com/rulers/willy-brandt)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Basic Treaty, 1972](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Treaty,_1972)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – Basic Treaty, 1972](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Basic-Treaty)