Foreign Policy and the End of Adenauer's Chancellorship Flashcards
1
Q
Germany’s reintegration
A
- Adenauer recognized that it was in the interests of West Germany
- Integrate into the Western world, reconcile relationship with France
- Supported by America as prevented communist expansion, and dependence on america meant nationalism was prevented
- WESTPOLTIK
2
Q
Petersburg Agreements November 1949
A
- West Germany joins Council of Europe as an associate member
- Can set up consulates in other countries
- Represented on OEEC, responsible for Marshal Plan and authority on the Ruhr
3
Q
What was EDO? - March 1948
A
EDO:
- Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg form European Defense Organisation
- To prevent German resurgence, but really to prevent communist expansion
4
Q
What did the Americans feel about whether to Join EDO?
A
- Western Europe vunerable to communist expansion, and EDO not big enough to prevent it
- Little direct input into policy making but duty of protection to Western Europe
- -> More suitable is an Atlantic alliance: more influence and better defense against communism
- US lead alliance would send a strong message to the USSR
- Thus Atlantic, US lead alliance needed, bigger than EDO
5
Q
NATO - April 1949
A
- US, Canada, Belgium, France, Britain, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Denmark and Iceland
- Soviets test first atomic bomb meaning NATO=Military organisation
6
Q
The FRG and the prospect of NATO membership
A
- One one hand, Germany was the nation that NATO was supposed to be keeping in check
- However shown to be democratic and friendly to West, and on frontline of Communist advance
- Adenauer argued for creation of a German People’s Army to prevent internal revolution. Korean war saw north attack south on peninsula, seems appropriate in light of this. FRG unarmed unlike GDR
- French propose Pleven Plan 1950: Limited number of troops as part of a West European Army. French refuse to ratify treaty in 1954 so Germany joins Western European Union under British Brussel’s Pact
- -> unification talks suspended following Stalin’s death+pressure from US=French accept West Germany as a member of NATO in May 1955
7
Q
Stalin’s unification proposal 1952
A
- Stalin anxious to prevent US supported West German rearmament
- March 1952: United neutral Germany following free elections. Whatever form of Government German people wish for, with rearmament and freedom from reparations
- Could be genuine offer, or to destabilize Adenauer’s Westpoltik
- Adenauer felt he had too much to lose in abandoning Westpoltik, may be seen as abandoning unification despite official support for it
8
Q
The European Economic Community (EEC)
A
- Proposal by French foreign secretary to unite Western European coal and steel industries in 1950
- Debated in Bundestag: Adenauer argued it would strengthen Franco/German relations but Schumacher/SPD thought it was a sell out to the Western powers
- Treaty of Paris 1951: coal/iron/steel industries of Western Europe merged, tarrifs eliminated, free labor market
- European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) active from July 1952
- Britain do not take part
9
Q
International Monetary fund (IMF)
A
-FRG joined it in 1952
10
Q
Treaty of Rome - March 1957
A
- ECSC/EURATOM (atomic energy commission)=European Economic Community
- Shared policies on agriculture/transport/capital
11
Q
Hallstein Doctrine -September 1955
A
- Adenauer insistent that the FRG was “the sole legitimate state organisation of the German people” - Recognised by all UN members whilst GDR was illegitimate Soviet puppet state
- GDR recognised itself as the second German state by 1955. Adenauer opened diplomatic relations with USSR who recognised GDR/had a GDR embassy. Worried Adenauer as it seemed he recognised the GDR and it would raise doubts about Adenauer’s claim that Western integration hadn’t harmed prospects of unity
- Hallstein Doctrine: FRG would break off diplomatic relations with anyone recognising the GDR
- Deterrent, but isolated FRG from some countries (People’s Republic of China) and made the GDR more dependent on USSR - CRITICIZED
- Ended 1972, but more lenient under WIlli Brandt in 60s
12
Q
Berlin Crisis 1958-1961
A
- Many skilled workers leaving East for West Berlin
- Khrushchev (soviet) not wanting to intervene but Hallstein Doctrine, threat of US missiles in West Germany due to NATO membership, Worsening relationship with China leads to BERLIN ULTIMATUM
- ->November 1958: West have 6 months to recognise the GDR and Berlin as a free city. If refused soviets would give their part of Berlin to the GDR, restricting passage from FRG>West Berlin thus forcing America to accept GDR and division
- Ultimatum rejected by Western Allies, conference in Geneva summer 1959, Adenauer proposes: GDR/FRG recognise sovreignty and Berlin made free, for referendum on unity. Plans abandoned
- US new President John F Kennedy Nov 1960, assumed by Khrushchev to be lightweight, but he increased defense spending, called up army reservists and recalled ships
13
Q
The Berlin Wall - August 1961
A
-Soviet troops/East German police seal of East from West Berlin. Border closed, phone wires cut, basic wall made
14
Q
Western Allies’ response to Berlin Wall - August 1961
A
- No immediate action from US/Adenauer. Adenauer mid election campaign and visited 9 days later
- Vice president visits 6 days later to Berlin, 1500 troops to support those there. Demanded their own troops be allowed to stay there with access by land and air, and right to self determination for West Berliners - clear policy of DETENTE
- America had ultimately recognised the GDR, so FRG was forced to
15
Q
Factors in Adenauer’s resignation
A
- Majority of FDP broke from Adenauer’s coalition in 1956
- SPD improvement: Reacted to 1957 defeat by supporting NATO membership, the Social Market Economy, Western integration, altered constitution regarding overthrow of capitalist society- electable
- 1959, Ran for presidency, couldn’t and no candidate to succeed him. Arrogance undermines power in party
- Visiting Berlin 9 days late poor choice: CDU/CSU vote fell to 46%, managed to get another coalition on condition he would resign in favour of Erhard in 2 years
- Der Spiegel affair
–> Resigns October 1963
