West Germany Was the Federal Republic—In the West, Not the East

The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG / West Germany) existed in the western zones of post-WWII Germany. The German Democratic Republic (GDR / East Germany) occupied the eastern zone.

1949–1990: Two German States

Berlin: The Microcosm

• West Berlin – enclave inside East Germany, de facto part of FRG
• East Berlin – GDR capital, claimed by both
• Wall built 1961 – physical division until 1989

Reunification

October 3, 1990: GDR acceded to FRG under Article 23. The Federal Republic of Germany continued as the sole legal successor—now comprising 16 states, capital Berlin.

So: FRG = West. GDR = East. Never the reverse.