1955-1959 – TRANSIT

The Turkish Republic applies for membership in the European Economic Community (EEC), but its application is denied.

On March 25, 1957, West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg sign the Treaties of Rome, establishing the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC brings about a single market and free movement of persons among the six member states.

On January 5th, the first 50 foreign workers from Italy arrive in Siersdorf.
The Treaty of Brussels establishes the European Economic Community, allowing citizens to move between member states. This initial Common Market includes West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
The first Grand Prix de la Chanson (now Eurovision Song Contests) takes place in Lugano, Switzerland.

On January 25th, the Soviet Union declares the end of war with Germany.
On May 4th, the Sudeten German Council is founded in Munich. Its purpose is to represent the political interests (such as the requests for return of repossessed property) of Sudeten Germans living in Germany.
On May 23, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization decides to end the occupation of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and declares the country “fully sovereign.” West Germany becomes a member of NATO, but the former occupying troops remain stationed there. The German Democratic Republic (East Germany), occupied by the Soviet Union, joins the Warsaw Pact.
On July 16th, the first documenta is organized by Arnold Bode in Kassel, in the ruins of the museum Fridericianum. The first documenta specifically referenced the works of art which had been declared as ‘degenerate’ by the National Socialists in order to counter this historical degradation. The great success of the inaugural documenta secured its status as an institution in the art world. The documenta is since then staged every four years in Kassel.
On December 20, the West German government signs the first bilateral labor-recruitment agreement with Italy for 100,000 laborers in Rome.