1949-63 Political And Economic

Question 1

When was Adenauer chancellor

Answer 1

1949-63

Question 2

When was the Basic law

Answer 2

May 1949

Question 3

What did the Basic Law do

Answer 3

Created the democratic Federal Republic of Germany

Question 4

What was contained in the basic law

Answer 4

Fundamental rights, such as right to life, constitutional principles such as ensuring German democracy rested on right to vote and seperate branches of government

Question 5

What was the 5% rule

Answer 5

While Germany elected the Bundestag using proportional representation, any party required 5% of the vote to be given any seats to minimise the impact of marginal parties

Question 6

How did the power of the president change under the basic law

Answer 6

Term was reduced to five years, with only one additional term possible. Role became more of a figurehead

Question 7

What was the 131 Law

Answer 7

The 131 law of 1951 allowed former Nazis to be employed as civil servants

Question 8

What was the Collective Bargaining Law

Answer 8

The Collective Bargaining Law of 1949 established ground rules for labour relations between government and trade unions

Question 9

What were the results of the 1949 election

Answer 9

The CDU were the largest party with 139 seats, but a large turnout represented faith in the democratic system

Question 10

What were the results of the 1953 election

Answer 10

The coalition of Christian and Free democrats increased their majority, with 243 seats

Question 11

What were the results of the 1957 election

Answer 11

The CDU won the only absolute majority in democratic German history, with 50.2% of the vote

Question 12

What was the Der Spiegel Affair

Answer 12

Der Spiegel was Germanys largest newspaper, who published an article the compromised defence ministry affairs. This led to conflict between the defence minister and the journalist, who was arrested and held for 103 days

Question 13

Why did the public react badly to the Der Spiegel affair

Answer 13

Anything that compromised the free press in such a heavy-handed manner reminded the German People of the Nazi Regime

Question 14

Why did Der Spiegel Affair affect German politics

Answer 14

Defence minister Strauss was forced to resign. Led to FDP threatening to pull out of coalition if Adenauer resigned in favour of Erhard

Question 15

When was Adenauer meant to resign

Answer 15

After the 1961 election, the deal between the CDU and FDP was made on the condition that Adenauer would resign within 2 years

Question 16

What was Ohne Mich

Answer 16

“Count me out” described the philosophy of most Germans in the early FGR, where they were happy to enjoy a quiet private life, only voting to continue the success of an incumbent party

Question 17

What was the 1953 election slogan for the CDU

Answer 17

“Keine experimente” meaning no experiments- showed how German people were bored of political games and wanted stability

Question 18

How did Adenauer and Erhard fall out

Answer 18

When the President, Theodor Hess, resigned in 1959, Erhard and Adenauer tried to prevent the SPD nominee. To prevent having to hand over power, Adenauer asked Erhard to become President. Erhard saw through this and refused, leading to Adenauer to run for President himself, to block Erhard. After days of internal feuding, Adenauer was forced to withdraw

Question 19

How did Adenauer slip up politically with the Berlin Wall

Answer 19

When the wall was built in August 1961, Adenauer did not immediately head to Berlin, preferring to remain on the campaign trail for upcoming federal elections

Question 20

What was the outcome of the 1961 election

Answer 20

The CDU lost its absolute majority, losing 1 million votes. Coalition negotiations were difficult, and a CDU/FDP coalition only occurred when Adenauer agreed to resign after two years