Divided Germany 1949-1963: Did the Constitution Stabilise Democracy in FRG?

Question 1

What were the 4 major parties in the FRG?

Answer 1

• CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic/Social Union)
• SPD (Social Democratic Party)
• FDP (Free Democratic Party)
• KPD (Communist Party)

Question 2

What was the outcome of the 1949 FRG Election?

Answer 2

Coalition of CDU, FDP and others

Question 3

What was the outcome of the 1953 FRG Election?

Answer 3

Coalition of CDU, FDP

Question 4

What was the outcome of the 1957 FRG Election?

Answer 4

CDU Majority

Question 5

What was the outcome of the 1961 FRG Election?

Answer 5

CDU, FDP Coalition

Question 6

What was Adenauer’s role at the start of the FRG?

Answer 6

Leader of the CDU, formed coalition with FDP to become first Chancellor

Question 7

Who was elected first FRG President?

Answer 7

Heuss of the FDP

Question 8

What was the attitude of the CDU?

Answer 8

• Christian, social values
• Middle of the road conservatism
• Absorbs right wing parties

Question 9

What was the attitude of the SPD?

Answer 9

• Originally Marxist, renouncing in 1959

- Middle of the road socialism

Question 10

When was the KPD banned?

Answer 10

1956

Question 11

When was the Socialist Reich Party banned?

Answer 11

1952

Question 12

Who was Schumacher?

Answer 12

• Leader of SPD in 1946-52
• Rejected KPD merger in 1946
• Unification was a principle

Question 13

Who was Ollenhauer?

Answer 13

• Leader of SPD 1952-63
• SPD failed to gain 1/3 of vote under him
• Success prevented by German acceptance of the division

Question 14

Who was the first SPD chancellor in 1969?

Answer 14

Willy Brandt

Question 15

What problems faced Adenauer?

Answer 15

• Economy (Recession, unemployment)
• Society (Housing, refugees)
• Politics (FRG controlled by occupying powers at start)

Question 16

What were Adenauer’s aims?

Answer 16

• Western Integration
• Reintegration but with Capitalism
• Magnet theory
• Social Market Economy (Erhard)