FRG - comparison - Nature of govt different to WG

Question 1

What continuity is there in the structure of the democratic governments of both FRG & WG

Answer 1

• Both democracies with power invested in the people
• WC and Basic law both upheld freedom of speech
• Coalition governments

Question 2

What continuity is there in the administration of the democratic governments of both FRG & WG

Answer 2

• WG - 18 Lander to control judiciary/education/police
• Lander re-instated under FRG - kept power over regional issues
• Both = Federal states

Question 3

What continuity is there in the principles of control/ freedom in the democratic governments of both FRG & WG

Answer 3

• Both had constitutions that upheld freedom of expression /democratic principles

Question 4

What was the extent of change in the structure of govt with WG & FRG

Answer 4

• Both established as democratic governments
• BUT Basic Law of FRG designed to prevent rise of a dictator again
• For example more stability with voting system and limited powers of president

Question 5

What was the extent of change in the structure of govt with WG & FRG

Answer 5

• Continuity as Federal system was re-instated under the FRG but issue of denazification is a change in FRG
• Also occupying powers control running of FRG under the ACC 1945-49

Question 6

What was the extent of change in the structure of govt with WG & FRG

Answer 6

• FRG’s attempt to prevent another Hitler emerging meant that sometimes governments resorted to repressive measures in order to prevent repression

Question 7

How were the principles of control/ freedom different under WG

Answer 7

• WC - allowed for freedom of expression (Bill of Rights)
• —> government had to provide for those who could not support themselves
• BUT governments did use government supported groups to put down rebellions - Friekorps/army

Question 8

How were the principles of control/ freedom different under FRG

Answer 8

• Basic law ensured that democracy could not be undermined —>
• as a result more measures were put in place to remove any opposition seen to undermine democracy
• e.g. Article 21/Adenauer accused of being chancellor democracy/Emergency law 1968
• More emphasis on individual human rights however.

Question 9

How was the administration different under FRG

Answer 9

• Adenauer criticised for keeping ex-Nazis in the Federal and regional civil service
• Adenauer - controlling his own government ministers - removing popular self-government in favour of representative democracy (but a responsible government)
• ACC 1945-49 - allies retained veto on German law even after 1949 -e.g Germany not free to determine foreign policy

Question 10

How was the structure of govt different under WG

Answer 10

• power divided between President/Chancellor and Reichstag BUT President had signif power (Article 48/dismiss Chancellor)

Question 11

How was the structure of govt different under FRG

Answer 11

• Democracy BUT Basic law designed to stop democracy being undermined and to remove opposition (Article 21)
• President’s powers were limited - elected by a representative convention/not dismiss chancellor
• Coalition governments BUT made up of less parties in FRG as smaller extremist parties were banned/5% rule
• FRG was a combination of PR and first past the post to elect Bundestag members