FRG

Question 1

Why is it argued that the situation in 1945 was worse than in 1918?

Answer 1

• Political chaos due to lots of country’s being involved
• Total defeat and occupation - loss of morale
• Reintegration of troops and civilians into post war society
• Expulsion and flight of millions
• Territorial losses

Question 2

What was the period of `1949-1963 in West Germany referred to?

Answer 2

The Adenauer Era

Question 3

What was The Bonn Republic?

Answer 3

West Germany’s post-war state, the democracy in West Germany

Question 4

In the FRG, what was were the features of the President?

Answer 4

• Powers were dramatically diminished
• Term reduced from 7 to 5 years
• Chosen by special assembly (Bundestag and equal no. selected from Lander)
• NOT elected by people

Question 5

What was the structure of parliament in the FRG?

Answer 5

There were two tiers: The Bundestag and the Bundestrat
Bundestag- Federal parliament, lower chamber
Bundestrat - Federal council, upper chamber

Question 6

The Chancellor was much more powerful than the President, true or false?

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Who elected the chancellor?

Answer 7

The President and the Bundestag

Question 8

Why was the constructive vote of no confidence introduced and what did it do?

Answer 8

• To avoid constant coalitions of Weimar era

- It allowed parliament to withdraw confidence from a head of government

Question 9

What was the electoral system like in the FRG?

Answer 9

• Constitution presented abolition of political parties
• Direct votes on laws, e.g plebiscites or referendum not allowed
• Mixed number political representation - reps for half the seats in the Bundestag through majority vote and the other half from party lists on proportional representation basis
• 1953: 5% hurdle or 1 constituency, this increased to 3 in 1957

Question 10

What was the Supreme Court?

Answer 10

A new agency to investigate anti-democratic activities- led to left and right extremists being banned in 1950s

Question 11

What were Adenauer’s problems and aims?

Answer 11

Problems:

• Economy: recession, unemployment, price rises
• Society: need for housing after WW2 and accomodating refugees
• Politics: FRG still controlled by occupying powers at start

Aims:

• Western integration
• The ‘German question’ - reunification but with a capitalist orientated state
• Economic policy: Ehard’s ‘social market’ policy
• Social: to create social consensus through concessions

Question 12

How successful was Adenauer in his foreign policy?

Answer 12

Integration:

• European Coal and Steel Community - no restrictions on member imports/exports, complete success
• European Economic Community - exert influence
• North Atlantic Treaty Organisation- Protection against Soviet Union, allowed involvement with other countries

Relations with GDR:

• 3 million fled to FRG (magnet theory)
• Reunification rejected by Adenauer
• Hallstein Doctrine- refusal to have diplomatic relations with countries that acknowledged GDR

Question 13

How successful was Adenauer in his social policy?

Answer 13

Living standards

• More private housing
• 6 million housing

Welfare state:

• Unemployment/child benefits
• Insurance (Accident and Sickness)
• Support for housing

Education

• Lander responsible
• Lack of resources and staff
• Not a lot of progress made
• Large classes

Question 14

How successful was Adenauer in his economic policy?

Answer 14

Initial:

• Currency reform and abolition of price controls
• More consumer goods
• Steep rises in prices not matched by rate of wage increase
• Shortages of resources

Recovery by 1952:

• Annual growth of 8%
• GNP doubled
• Unemployment lowered
• Population educated

Question 15

What were the key events that lead to Adenauer’s fall from power?

Answer 15

• Presidency fiasco
• TV dispute
• 1961 election
• Der Spiegel Affair
• Resignation

Question 16

What was the Presidency Fiasco?

Answer 16

• After Heuss retired from presidency, Adenauer put himself forward
• He then withdrew from the role as it wouldn’t give him a say in policy making
• He wanted to block Erhard as Chancellor
• He loses credibility as a result of this

Question 17

What was the TV dispute and when did it occur?

Answer 17

From 1958-1961

• TV company set up that was controlled by federal govt.
• SPD attacked Adenauer, threatened the govt. and freedom of media
• Company declared unconstitutional
• Opponents used opportunity to attack style of govt. - too controlling

Question 18

What happened in the election in 1961?

Answer 18

• SPD vs CDY
• Polls implied that Adenauer was still favoured over SPD leader Willy Brandt
• GDR built Berlin Wall during campaigning- Adenauer ignored this rather than defending West Berlin
• CDU won election, formed coalition with FDP- agreed on the condition that Adenauer stepped down from leadership role within 4 years

Question 19

What was the Der Spiegel Affair?

Answer 19

• Left wing newspaper
• Criticised foreign policy of Strauss, leader of CSU and minister of defence
• Paper published article about NATO military plans in the event of an attack by the eastern bloc
• Writer/editors arrested and charged with treason
• Adenauer defended Strauss which meant bad publicity
• Triggered govt. crisis

Question 20

How did Adenauer’s resignation come about?

Answer 20

• Result of Der Spiegel affair, Adenauer has promised to stand down
• Lander Elections of 1963, the CDU lost many votes and the party began to ask for a grand coalition with SPD
• In April 1963, Adenauer was forced to accept Erhard as his successor
• October 1963 he resigns
• Kept his seat n parliament and leadership of CDU