A Divided Germany (1945–1990) Flashcards
Both East and West Germany joined the international security alliances that represented their sponsors wishes—the Warsaw Pact in the East and NATO in the West. True or False
False
Similar to United States conservatives, the governments of Konrad Adenauer and Ludwig Erhard embraced a free market system for the economy and a rejection of the social welfare state. True or False
False
After World War II, the Federal Republic of Germany had a parliamentary system established with a politically regulated market economy and a re-establishment of strong state governments. True or False
True
Both the Social Democratic leaders Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt refused to have any diplomatic relationship with the Warsaw Pact. True or False
False
- The Christian Democrats came back to power in 1982 under the leadership of Chancellor Helmut Kohl who formed a center-right coalition with the Free Democratic Party ((FDP). True or False
True
Unlike the former Soviet Union, the GDR was a much more moderate, less bureaucratic regime tolerating elements of a free market and some forms of free speech. True or False
False
Although it became the strongest communist economy, East Germany lagged behind the far more developed economies of Western Europe. True or False
True
Because of the wealth, ingenuity, and managerial skills of West Germans, reunification with East Germany was a relatively painless process. True or False
False
Unification of the two Germanys encountered few significant problems since the former communist country was the most advanced economically of the East Bloc countries, quickly adapting to a capitalist economy. True or False
False
When the euro replaced eleven European currencies in 2002, Germans were wholeheartedly supportive of the transition, believing this new currency would control inflation and more effectively manage fiscal policy. True or False
False
The fact that several 9/11 terrorists had belonged to an Al Qaeda cell in Hamburg raised thorny questions about the balance between freedom and security in Germany. True or False
True
During the Bush administration’s preparations for the Iraq War 2002, Gerard Schroder and the German public came out in strong support of the United States. True or False
False
Because of its earlier militarism and its history of authoritarian political culture, Germany’s role in the world of states is controversial. True or False
True
More than in other democratic countries, German political institutions, social forces, and patterns of life emphasize collective action more than individualism. True or False
True
Germany’s traditionally restrictive immigration law was changed in 1999 to enable those who had lived in Germany for decades to obtain citizenship. True or False
True
In the first 40 years of its existence, the Federal Republic produced: a) slow economic growth with a stable political system, b) fast economic growth with an unstable political system, c) rapid economic growth with a stable political system, d) slow economic growth with an unstable political system.
c) rapid economic growth with a stable political system
From 1949 to 1969, Germany was ruled by: a) the center left coalition of the SPD and FRG, b) a grand coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD, c) the center right alone with the CDU/CSU or in coalition with the FDP, d) a hodge-podge of center-left and center coalitions with no one party dominating.
c) the center right alone with the CDU/CSU or in coalition with the FDP
The GDR was a one-party state under the control of: a) the Greens, b) the Socialist Unity Party (SED), c) the Social Democratic Party (SPD), d) the Free Democratic party (FDP).
b) the Socialist Unity Party (SED),
The process of reunifying the two Germanys happened faster than anticipated due to: a) violent clashes between citizens of both countries, b) outside threats of invasion by the Warsaw Pact nations, c) the inability to convince East Germans not to migrate west, d) the unwillingness of the East German political leadership to cooperate and its internal crackdown
c) the inability to convince East Germans not to migrate west
How many new states (Lander) from East Germany were incorporated into a reunited Germany in 1990? a) 4, b) 5, c) 7, d) 9
b) 5
Who did the East Germans blame for the high levels of unemployment and social ills that resulted after reunification? a) the free market system, b) the corrupt nature of government and its leaders, c) the United States, d) Turkish immigrants and other foreigners.
d) Turkish immigrants and other foreigners.
How did Germany pay for the spiraling costs of reunification? a) The Kohl government followed the tried-and-true strategy of supply-side economics; it borrowed the money, b) it simply followed the Weimar strategy of simply printing up more German marks, c) Kohl slapped a unification tax on the West Germans, d) Kohl got and received international assistance from the former Soviet Union, the European Union, the U.S. and the OPEC nations.
c) Kohl slapped a unification tax on the West Germans
Why did German manufacturers become supportive of establishing a more integrated European economy? a) because of the guilt they felt for their support of Nazism, b) because of the increasing value of the German currency, making their products more expensive, c) because of the rise of inflation in Germany, hurting its export market, d) because they believed that they could help other fledgling European economies with their expertise and economic methods
b) because of the increasing value of the German currency, making their products more expensive
What is meant by Gastarbeiter? a) Workers from southern Europe and Turkey were allowed into West Germany, supposedly for limited periods, and would then return home, b) Immigrants received asylum from corrupt and oppressive regimes, c) Immediate social welfare assistance was provided to escaping refugees from East Germany, d) Diplomatic and cultural exchanges between East and West Germany during the Cold War.
a) Workers from southern Europe and Turkey were allowed into West Germany, supposedly for limited periods, and would then return home
In the late 19th century what compelled Germany to become an aggressive, acquisitive state? a) Germany was far ahead of its competitors, i.e., Britain and France, in its stage of industrial development, necessitating access to outside markets, b) Germany was late to unify, it was exposed geographically and it pursued fast economic growth combined with an awakened German nationalism, c) Germany had a highly developed political culture, but lacked a comparably effective nation-state requiring a diversion away from internal problems to outside pursuits, d) Germany realized that the quickest strategy for achieving industrialization was to create a more highly competitive environment by limiting and more fully separating the private sector from the public sector.
b) Germany was late to unify, it was exposed geographically and it pursued fast economic growth combined with an awakened German nationalism
Which of the following best reflects Modell Deutschland? a) a) a laissez faire policy of isolating key economic actors to assure competitiveness and efficiency, b) strict hierarchical relations between of employee/employer interaction, c) close cooperation among the state, financial institutions and industrial interests, d) limited public-sector benefits to prevent state centralization.
c) close cooperation among the state, financial institutions and industrial interests
How was Germany divided after its defeat in 1945?
a) Following the \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_ tensions, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) emerged in the west out of zones assigned to the western Allies (\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_\_\_, and the United States). b) The communist German Democratic Republic (GDR) was formed out of a zone directed by the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_ in the east.
a) Cold War, Britain, France
b) Soviet Union
The Federal Republic (West Germany) became a democracy with
a) constitutional provisions for free \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, b) \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and individual rights, c) an independent \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
a) elections
b) civil liberties
c) judiciary
Germany’s significance for the study of comparative politics lies in several areas:
a) the contrast between its \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ history and democratization in an integrating Europe; b) its distinctive form of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ capitalism that is neither state-led nor laissez-faire; c) its successful representative democracy that combines participation and representation of the entire electorate in a stable \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ regime; d) and a politics of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ that builds on existing groups but leaves some room for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
a) nationalistic
b) organized
c) parliamentary
d) identity, newcomers
