FRG Flashcards
Why is it argued that the situation in 1945 was worse than in 1918?
- 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
What was the period of `1949-1963 in West Germany referred to?
The Adenauer Era
What was The Bonn Republic?
West Germany’s post-war state, the democracy in West Germany
In the FRG, what was were the features of the President?
- 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
What was the structure of parliament in the FRG?
There were two tiers: The Bundestag and the Bundestrat
Bundestag- Federal parliament, lower chamber
Bundestrat - Federal council, upper chamber
The Chancellor was much more powerful than the President, true or false?
True
Who elected the chancellor?
The President and the Bundestag
Why was the constructive vote of no confidence introduced and what did it do?
- To avoid constant coalitions of Weimar era
- It allowed parliament to withdraw confidence from a head of government
What was the electoral system like in the FRG?
- 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
What was the Supreme Court?
A new agency to investigate anti-democratic activities- led to left and right extremists being banned in 1950s
What were Adenauer’s problems and aims?
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
How successful was Adenauer in his foreign policy?
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
How successful was Adenauer in his social policy?
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
How successful was Adenauer in his economic policy?
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
What were the key events that lead to Adenauer’s fall from power?
- Presidency fiasco
- TV dispute
- 1961 election
- Der Spiegel Affair
- Resignation
What was the Presidency Fiasco?
- 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
What was the TV dispute and when did it occur?
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
What happened in the election in 1961?
- 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
What was the Der Spiegel Affair?
- 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
How did Adenauer’s resignation come about?
- 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
