FRG 1.2 Flashcards
how was the FRG constitution devised?
To avoid the problems faced by weimar
what was the basic law clear about?
there should be free speech, freedom of press and no censorship. this opened up opportunity to oppose
why was political dissent not a key focus?
because the FRG was trying to establish itself and instead focussed on rebuilding the govt and rebuilding the economy and country
Which political party openly voiced opposition?
SDP- they argued against Adenauer’s moves- his year 0 policy etc
How did the govt clamp down on political opposers?
They used a clause in the basic law which stated that these groups could exist as long as it didn’t threaten the principles of democracy. this clause banned a right wing socialist party
How did the youth protest in the 1960s?
- to confront the Nazi past, they adopted slogans like ‘what did you do in the war daddy?’
- they protested against FRGs military and its involvement with NATO
- they grew angry of the US and their war with Vietnam.
who were the APO?
groups of left wing intellectuals - students an d young professionals
What did the APO do?
they used student protests as a key method of protest
Who were the SDS?
German Socialist student union part of SPD but broke away in 1961 – when it became less radical + didn’t support terrorism
What did the SDS protest about?
Vietnam war and nuclear weapons, And ex-Nazis holding office in government, FRG’s involvement with an NATO
What happened after Rudi Dutschke was shot?
Series of rights + protests followed, SDS took part in major demo in Bonn against the emergency law, they said the basic law was violated, Led to change in student protest through power of arrest + surveillance by govt
What did govt do to reduce protests?
they used pressure and dissent through emergency laws and police control
what effect did the use of pressure and police control effect opposers?
it made them feel marginalised so turned to terrorism
How was controlling opposition a challenge for the govt?
the police and govt felt they were thrown off balance by terrorists refusal to cooperate, despite coming out with hardline policies, they felt cornered
why weren’t the govt policies to control opposition working?
terrorist groups were fluid so they changed their names split and joined other groups, they were in and out of prison, arrests often provoked terror attacks
Who were the Baader meinhof Gang?
most long lived terrorist group, known as RAF, if gang leaders were in prison it would often result in the houses of lawyers and judges being bombed, by 1975 all members were captured
Why did the number of protests increase?
because of the way the govt dealt with it. Many people sympathised with terrorists with a poll showing that 1 in 5 would hide a member at home if they were on the run. this showed how unsuccessful the govt was
which type of terrorist groups posed more threat?
the left wing. since they posed more threat they were dealt with more harshly
What was the BfV and BND?
they were both entitled to investigate people they suspected of working against Basic Law. BFV- worked inside Germany + reported to the minister of interiors. BND- reported directly to chancellor + investigated abroad as well as in germany
what were the emergency laws?
Emergency law helped track down terrorists- BND and BfV were allowed to open mail, search homes etc.
What were the Nuremberg trials?
trials for nazi leaders who didn’t escape or commit suicide, first trial 18 oct 1945
why was it hard to denazify?
It was hard to classify who was a nazi- many joined just to get a job- and many nazis could easily remove themselves from the system. They couldn’t get rid of all nazis as it would e hard to get new people to fill posts
what were some of the reactions to denazification?
- resigned acceptance- they lost so accepted it
- indignation- why were only the Nazis purged? allies did the same- hypocrites
- cynicism- nuremberg trials- patchy- allies let skilled nazis flee Germany and live in their country.
- desire to move on- didn’t want to look at past. the young wanted to confront the past
