In what ways did developments in Germany affect the Cold War between 1945?

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In what ways did developments in Germany affect the Cold War between 1945 - 1961?

On May 8, 1945, the unconditional surrender of the German armed forces, the "Wehrmacht", was signed by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel in Berlin, ending World War II for Germany. Due to administrative purposes the Allied powers divided the country into four occupational zones. While located wholly within the Soviet zone, because of its symbolic importance as the nation's capital and seat of the former Nazi government, the city of Berlin was not considered to be part of the Soviet zone. Within this context, the developments taking place in Germany happened to have a vast impact on the tension build-up of the Cold War. To answer the question, not only diplomatic elements but also economic elements and elements of European Integration have to be taken in consideration. But in August 1961 when the conflict faced its climax because Khrushchev unexpectedly closed the borders and only two choices were left for Kennedy; to either surrender or use force against Russia's threat, the situation found its turning point.

After the Third Reich was effectively abolished in the spring of 1945, the country was placed under military