FRG 1.1 Flashcards
How was the FRG created?
After WW2 and Germanys Surrender, allies agreed to meet at Potsdam conference to reconstruct Germany. it was decided to divide it into 4 zones: run by Russia, France, USA, and Britian. Allies were to work together.
When did Germany surrender from WW2?
7 May 1945
When was the Potsdam conference?
17 july- 2 august 1945
What was discussed at the Potsdam conference?
disarming, demilitarising, decentralising and denazifying Germany.
when were political parties set up?
Early 1945
Who were the first party in the FRG?
11 June- KPD- wanted german socialism with land reform, new education system and a democratic govt
What other political parties were there?
SPD- had radical policies, the centre party, 2 church based parties- CDU (Christian Democratic Union and CSU- (Crhistian Social Union of Bavaria), Liberal Democratic Party and others
What happened between USSR and West?
relations developed into the cold war, many countries became communist therefore the west set up the Marshall plan
What was the Marshall plan?
a plan to give economic help in 1947 to European countries who could become communist under soviet influence
what was the socialist Unity Party of Germany?
April 1946, KPD and SPD formed a single party, most significant party in soviet zone
Why couldn’t the allies work together?
they all were politically different and could never agree on a single system govt, Germany was going to remain divided
When did the parliamentary council announce the basic law?
23rd May 1949
it outlined free and lib democracy, New govt- clean slate for its work
what did the Basic Law promise?
Equal rights for citizens
Freedom and no censorship
State education for all
When were the first elections
14 Aug 1949
who was the first chancellor of FRG
Konrad Adenauer- leader of CDU
How was Adenauer as chancellor?
He was seen as the father of modern germany
How long was Adenauer chancellor?
1949-63
Why did some dislike Adenauer?
Critics: SPD and FDP didn’t like his authoritarian style and forceful management
Called his leadership “chancellor democracy”
thought he had more power than allowed
What was Adenauer’s Policy agenda?
Based on domestic and foreign policy
Goal was to unite Germany and make good relations with Europe
SpD were critical of this
Why did Adenauer let too many Nazis into the govt?
he said letting them in was the quickest way to move on and establish a civil service. In 1951, even ex nazis were allowed to work in the civil service
when did FRG establish its own army?
1955
who were the 2 chancellors after Adenauer?
both from CDU
Erhard and Keisinger
what did Erhard do
Erhard followed adenauer’s atlanticist policies to introduce emergency law to search homes and open mail in times of serious political tensions
Why did erhard resign?
because he introduced a budget with such heavy taxation and couldnt form a coalition therefore had to resign
due to such political instability what was the govt facing?
Opposition came from small parties, growing hostility due to declining economy. this pushed the govt to be more repressive.
who was the first SPD chancellor?
Willy brandt
When did Willy brandt become chancellor?
1969
how ling was Willy Brandt chancellor?
1969- 82
What were Brandts aims?
he pushed ahead with the policy of Ostpolitik and this was met wit serious opposition from the Bundestag
Why did Brandt resign?
Even after major support from his party, he found out that his advisor was a GDR spy therefore resigned because he should have known about it. Resigned in 1974
Who was Helmut Schmidt?
SPD chancellor after Brandt
What challenges did Schmidt face?
Faced economic and domestic upheaval, Won election of 1976 as no other candidate viable, Constructive vote of no confidence forced him to resign
Who was Helmut Kohl?
CDU chancellor after Schmidt
What were Kohls aims?
His focus was stability, Promised continuity and economic policies, Kohl worked for unification with east germany, faced opposition
what happened in 1989?
hungary opened border to west, Lifted travel restrictions, east germany also opens border, People flooded through berlin wall
