Divided Germany 1949-1963: Political and Social Stability Achieved?

Question 1

Besides the economy, what major areas of change occurred in the FRG?

Answer 1

• Social Policies
• Education
• Women
• Social Changes

Question 2

What social policies were introduced in the FRG?

Answer 2

• Equalisation of Burdens Law 1953
• 131 Law 1951
• Wiedergutmachung 1952
• German Federation of Trade Unions
• Co-Determination Law 1951
• Works Constitution Law 1952
• Welfare State
• State supported Housing

Question 3

What and when was equalisation of the Burdens Law?

Answer 3

1953. Property levy on money and estate not impacted by War. 143 billion DM redistributed in 30 years

Question 4

What and when was the 131 Law?

Answer 4

1951. Employment and pension rights restored for former civil servants

Question 5

What and when was Wiedergutmachung?

Answer 5

1952. Offered compensation to Nazi victims.

Question 6

What was the German Federation of Trade Unions?

Answer 6

Simplified TU system with 16 Unions.

Question 7

What and when was the Co-determination Law?

Answer 7

Workers in coal, iron and steel had representatives. Appeased workers who wanted nationalisation of property

Question 8

What and when was the Works Constitution Law?

Answer 8

1952. Work council for all employers over 500. TUs stepped back and fewer strikes.

Question 9

What were features of the welfare state?

Answer 9

• Unemployment benefits
• Sickness insurance
• Pension reform 1957 means pension was 60% of earnings
• 6 million new flats, 50% were council housing

Question 10

What changes were made to education by the FRG?

Answer 10

• Reform focused on democratic principles
• Common education policy with GDR
• Traditional school system retained

Question 11

What were the problems with FRG education?

Answer 11

• Lack of resources and staff
• Teachers were unqualified
• Curriculum returned to Weimar, no consensus
• Traditional Weimar approach was problematic
• Responsibility was passed to Lander, who couldn’t agree

Question 12

What positives happened to women under the FRG?

Answer 12

• Equal rights by constitution

- Law of the Equality of the Sexes 1957 gave right to seek employment and own property after marriage

Question 13

What negatives were there for women in the FRG?

Answer 13

• Paid 40% less than men
• Women made up 19% of higher education 1950, 30% in 1968
• Conservative views promoted by church
• 3 Ks still relevant

Question 14

What was the proportion of women in higher education in the FRG?

Answer 14

• 19% in 1950

- 30% in 1968

Question 15

When was the Law of the Equality of the Sexes?

Answer 15

1957

Question 16

What area of practical social change occurred?

Answer 16

• Living standards
• Without Me movement
• US influences

Question 17

What changes were there to living standards in the FRG?

Answer 17

• Impacts of miracle not seen until 1962
• Working week reduced to 40 hours
• 38% owned a car
• Consumerism took off

Question 18

What percentage owned a car in the FRG in 1962?

Answer 18

38%

Question 19

What was the “without me” movement?

Answer 19

• German mentality of focusing on home, work and family

- Focus was not on politics but on material achievements

Question 20

What were the US influences?

Answer 20

• Traditional culture declined
• Mass media expanded, US TV introduced
• Increasing youth protest