Creation of the FRG

Question 1

Creation of the FRG

Answer 1

• 7th May 1945 - Germany signed the final surrender
• split into 4 zones, as well as Berlin
• Cold War 1945 - relations worsened, Poland, Yugoslavia and Albania all became communist states
• so Marshall plan was introduced to give economic aid so there wouldn’t be many communist states
• 1949 - Basic Law states - equal rights to all German citizens

Question 2

Consolidation under Adenauer and Erhard

Answer 2

• increasing number of economic and political bonds tied them to West, as the Cold War hardened

Question 3

How far did Adenauer create a stable political base

Answer 3

• chancellor of West Germany from 1949-63
• critics(SPD and FDP) authoritarian style and forceful management - “chancellor democracy”
• also foreign minister
• criticized for appointment of weak minsters, treated them as political advisers rather than equals
• kept coalitions going
• goals he set included uniting Germany and working for closer European integration- many argued the second part worked against first
• 1953 - changes to vote allocations made it harder for small parties to gain a seat
• 1952 - Socialist Right Party banned, 1956 - KPD declared unconstitutional in their attitude to democratic government, party was banned
• resulted in a three-party house

Question 4

Restoring the civil service and governemnt

Answer 4

• Adenauer argued letting ex-Nazis work within democratic system was quickest way to move on and only way to establish effective civil service
• 1945 - ‘year zero’
• 1951 - article 131 added to Basic Law, officially allowing ex-Nazis to work in civil service - ppl argued hinted Nazi sympathies
• he worked to limit freedom of speech which caused concern about moving away from democracy and Basic Law
• Oct 1962 - magazine ‘Der Spiegel’ published article criticizing performance of West Gemran troops in NATO exercises, Adenauer supported arrests of journalists, FDP ministers resigned in protest
• only managed to gain coalition by promising to resign in 1963

Question 5

After Adenauer

Answer 5

• Ludwig Erhard - 1963-66
  Kurt Kiesinger - 1966-69
• CDU/CSU split into Atlanticists (who wanted to work with the West) and Gaullists (prepared to work with France but wanted to focus on co-operation with East Germany)
  Erhard tried to introduce emergency law to tap phones search in times of ‘serious political tension’
  SPD refused to support measures
  1966 - Erhard - heavy tax - FDP ministers resigned
• CDU/CSU/SDP - ‘Grand Coalition’ formed with Kiesenger as chancellor, SPD leader Willy Brandt as vice-chancellor and foreign minister