title: Chronology
abstract: 1945 Feb: Yalta conference of the allied powers April: Hider’s suicide May: Germany signs an unconditional surrender June: The allies declare that they are assuming supreme power in Germany Legalisation of political parties in the Soviet zone July: Western powers take up occupation rights in Berlin July–Aug: Potsdam Conference of the USA, U K and USSR Sept: Parties legalised in the western zones 1946 FApril: The SED is formed from the KPD and SPD in the Soviet zone Nov: The SED publishes its pro