The Imperial German Union (German: Kaiserlich Deutschen Union) was the common name given to the state officially named German Reich, during the period from 1957 to 1995, designating Germany from the unification of Germany and Central Europe and when its government was controlled by the German National People's Party. Under Konrad Adenauer rule, the German Union was transformed into a totalitarian state where nearly all aspects of life were controlled by the state through hierarchical institutions. German Union ceased to exist after the Russian forces defeated the in May 1994, thus ending Global War in Europe.