1970s Flashcards
How did universities change in the 1970s
Expansion of women in universities opened up new possibilities for women
How many women were in paid employment in the 70s compared to 1950
Half of women in paid employment in the 1970s
Up from 25% in 1950
When was abortion made easier
June 1976
When was divorce made easier
1977
When and how was the German army opened to women
1975
Women could become officers but only in the musical and medical corps
What occurred at the Warsaw Ghetto memorial and why is it significant
Brandt, as chancellor, kneeled in front of the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial
Showed personal remorse for crimes against Jews from the heart of the German government
What happened at the Munich Olympics
1972 Munich Olympics
PLO terrorists murdered 11 Israeli athletes - public sympathy fully with Jewish athletes
When was there a TV series on the holocaust and how many people watched it
January 1979
Watched by 20 million- half of adult population
How many people were visiting dachau by the end of the 70s
5000 schools a year
How did average income change from 1970s to 1950
Increases by 400% - better standard of living
When was the educational support act and what did it do
1971
Aided poorer children to remain in education
How did university spending change between 1970 and 74
Increase of 300%
What did public opinion rally against in the 1970s
Lots of grievances against Gastarbeite- economic struggles led to issues with foreign workers
Growth of US influence- specifically US dominance of German defence policy
What was Brandts economic policy and what was its impact
Brandt expanded the welfare state of the FRG
Costs of these policies increased by over 10% - led to inflationary pressure
How did German banks help cause inflationary pressures
Increased lending
Strong value of the Deutschmark
When was the first oil crisis and what was its impact
1974
OPEC cut oil output, leading to a quadrupling of oil price in 1974
Resulted in unemployment reaching a million in 1975
1.4% fall in GDP
Led to a ban on Sunday driving
How did oil prices change due to the first oil crisis
Quadrupled in 1974
10/20x increase from the 60s start to end of 70s
How did the economy affect the 1976 election
Worst of the oil crisis storm had passed, allowing Schmidt to win in 76 largely based on his economic results
How had the job market changed by 1979
Another 100,000 jobs had been created
How did Germanys economy fare throughout the 1970s
Inflation averaged 4.7% between 73-79, compared to Western European average of 11.7%
Unemployment never broke 8%
Germany furthered European links, being instrumental in introduction of ERM in 1979
Overall, fared better than most Western European countries
German inflation between 73-79 and comparison to European rivals
Germany inflation averaged 4.7%
Western European average of 11.7%
When was the ERM introduced
1979
How did inflation change between 1971-73
Rising inflation, partly due to SPD welfare reform spending
Cause and effects of first oil crisis
End of 73, OPEC decided to double price of crude oil
FRG faced paying 17 billion more DM per annum
Balance of payments defecit went from +$9.5 million to -$692 million in a year
Schmidt raised VAT and cut expenditure
Cause and effects of second oil crisis
1979- Shah of Iran overthrown, leading to a collapse in Iranian oil production
Led to 150% increase on oil price between Dec 79 and May 80
Unemployment rose above 2 million
Fell into recession until 1980
Inflation lower than the rest of Western. Europe
Liberalisation under Brandt
Lowering of voting age to 18
Laws against abortion and homosexuality relaxed
Censorship loosened
Criminal law reformed- greater emphasis on rehabilitation
How did Brandt change education
Increased education spending- improved grants for poorer students to attend university
Improved social mobility
What inflationary issues did Brandt face
Inflation continued to rise from 1972 onwards
Led to resignation of Finance Minister Schiller in 72
Oil crisis deepened issues
Key points of Ostpolitik
Brandt changed attitudes towards GDR with a series of treaties and opening of communication
Symbolic action such as kneeling at Warsaw Ghetto memorial in Dec 1970 showed respect and humility to both sides
Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1971
November 1972 election turned into a referendum on Ostpolitik- SPD won largest vote share in history
When did Brandt resign and who replaced him
1974
Replaced by Schmidt
Result of 1976 election
SPD/FDP coalition under Schmidt remained in power despite the CDU/CSU being the largest party
When was the Mogadishu incident
1977
What was the Mogadishu incident
Terrorists hijack a Lufthansa plane seeking the release of RAF terrorist prisoners in Germany
Schmidt led a calm and measured response, resulting in release of hostages with minimal casualties
Key reforms under Brandt
Rise in pensions
Educational provisions expanded
Job creation schemes
Factory management laws
Provisions for more social housing
Town planning measures
Promotion of railways
November 1972 slogan of Brandt
“Vote for Willy, who else is there”
Result of 1972 vote of no confidence
Brandt survived by 2 votes
Later emerged that it was due to bribery
When and what was the Treaty of Moscow
1970
Renounced use of force and solidified European borders
When and what was the Basic Treaty
1972
Opened relations between FRG and GDR for first time since division
Why did Brandt resign
Key advisor revealed to have been an Eastern spy
Political affiliation of Schmidt
Right leaning social democrat, similar to FDP
