2029.11 All across the European Union, member nations divide on the issue of trade with the New German Republic. Spain, Italy, Portugal and France begin trading with the new nation state. Great Britain remains undecided on the matter, and Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and Greece refuse to recognize the New German Republic. Tensions within the EU are exacerbated by a growing pressure from multinational and mega-corporations who wish to have similar corporate protectorates set up, or who wish to extend economic contracts into the next decade.
2038.1 Germany attacks Austria, and the first Austro-German war begins. France sends troops to assist Austria, as does the New German Republic.
2039.2 Germany defeats a joint French-Austrian military force and captures Vienna, the Austrian capital. Germany re-dubs itself the New Prussian Empire, and adopts a policy of racial and historical superiority.
The pre 2039 Germany and the New German Republic are two different bodies of territory. The NGR is the corporate owned one.