Four years between the war’s end and the state’s founding.
Following defeat in 1945, Germany was controlled by the Allied occupation powers. The Federal Republic emerged later in the west. The two years therefore describe different stages of post-war history.
The Parliamentary Council drafted the Basic Law and adopted it on 8 May 1949. Promulgation followed on 23 May. This sequence shows that preparing a constitution and founding the state are connected, but the dates identify different steps.
The other three answers
The other years concern war or later European cooperation.
1939
Germany’s invasion of Poland began World War II in Europe in 1939. The Federal Republic did not yet exist.
1945
World War II and Nazi rule ended in 1945. Occupation followed, not yet the founding of the Federal Republic.
1951
The Federal Republic already existed in 1951. That year saw, for example, the signing of the European Coal and Steel Community treaty, a different step in post-war history.
Reading the founding date and entry into force precisely.
Article 145 provides that the Basic Law enters into force at the end of its promulgation day. Its entry into force is therefore also described as the beginning of 24 May. This changes neither the customary founding date of 23 May nor the correct year, 1949.
The question specifically concerns the Federal Republic. The GDR also emerged as a second German state in 1949. Sharing a year does not make the two foundings one event.
Basic Law 1949 · German Bundestag ↗Federal Republic + Basic Law + 1949.
These three terms form a clear learning link. Knowing that 1945 marks the war’s end also rules out the most tempting distractor.
Three words for this question
- die Gründungfounding / establishment
- The establishment of an organisation or state in its particular form.
- die Verkündungpromulgation
- The formal announcement of a law.
- in Kraft tretento enter into force
- To become legally effective.