Creation of the FRG, 1945-49 - Setting up Political Parties Flashcards
When were political parties set up again after WW2?
early June 1945
Where the political parties mostly set up?
Berlin, to allow communication across all zones
What was the issue from the start?
different leaders in the Soviet and Western zones
What was the first party to announce itself + when?
KPD
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11 June 1945
What was the message/aim of the KPD?
wanted ‘German socialism’ with:
- land reform
- new education system
- democratic government
+ accepted Allied plans for reconstruction
What was the political message of all parties in the 1950’s and early 1960’s?
one of moderation + one of controlling extremism
When did the SPD re-form?
15 June 1945
Why did the SPD have a moral advantage + how did it use it?
many SPD members incl. leader (Kurt Schumacher) had been in conc. camps under Nazi rule
+
used this to urge Allies to allows Gs a greater say in the establishment of their government
How did the SPD’s policies differ from the KPD’s?
SPD’s policies were more radical than KPD’s:
- nationalisation of banks, land, key industries
- significant social welfare systems to be provided
What happened to the Centre party?
Centre party tried UNSUCCESSFULLY to re-establish itself
What church-based groups were set up in 1945 (even tho Centre party = no more)?
Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU)
+ many more smaller faith-based parties
What was the aims of the church-based groups?
all had a Christian outlook but a variety of other aims
- idea of social support for the poorest was common
What happened to liberal groups?
there was a number of liberal groups
the largest = the Liberal Democratic Party
What did the political groups learn from the WR?
having lots of parties w similar aims = voters spread votes over different parties = reduced power of parties
What happened as a result of the realisation that lots of parties = spread votes?
faith-based + liberal parties in Western zones negotiated to create single parties
