***FRG government Flashcards

1
Q

What did the Basic Law ensure?

A

Equal rights to all citizens, free speech, freedom to form. unions and other groups, free assembly, state education for all.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What did Article 20 of the Basic Law declare?

A

That the FRG was a democracy. State authority is derived from the people and shall be exercised by the people through elections.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What did Article 21 of the Basic Law declare?

A

That political parties must reform to democratic principles. Those which undermine democracy shall be abolished.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Who was Head of State in the FRG?

A

The President

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How was the Head of State put into power?

A

The President was chosen by a representative convention every 5 years.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How much power did the President supposedly have?

A

Limited power, largely formal and symbolic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which 2 groups made up German Parliament?

A

The Bundestag and Bundesrat.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What did the Bundestag do?

A

Approved the Chancellor and passed laws.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What did the Bundesrat do?

A

Local government: Helped to form laws. It was made up of representatives from the Lander. The Bundesrat could veto the Bundestag.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How was the Chancellor appointed and dismissed in the FRG?

A

Appointed by the President but needed parliamentary approval. The Chancellor could not be dismissed by the president unless a new chancellor was voted in. If the Chancellor did not have parliamentary support new elections would be held.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What was the electoral system referred to as?

A

A representative democracy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What was the only valid reasoning for the banning of political parties?

A

If their aims were un-democratic (Article 21).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How was the Bundestag elected?

A

A combination of proportional representation and first past the post.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How much of the vote did parties have to gain before they were represented in parliament?

A

5%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How did the Allies force Germans to confront their guilt?

A

They were forced to visit opened concentration camps and assist with burials.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How many ex-Nazis were arrested and held in prison by late 1946?

A

250,000

17
Q

What was a major focus of de-nazification?

A

The Nuremberg Trials - An international court which presided over war crimes of Nazis.

18
Q

When were the Nuremberg Trials?

A

1945-46

19
Q

What happened to Nazis at the first of the Nuremberg Trials?

A

10 Nazis were sentenced to death (Goering committed suicide the night before).

20
Q

Why did many ex-Nazis escape punishment?

A

They were useful in an anti-Communist role.

21
Q

What was given to most Nazis after 1951?

A

Amnesties (a pardon for offences).

22
Q

What could ex-Nazis buy on the black market?

A

Character references which could be used in their defence.

23
Q

What was the difference in punishment of Germans in the different occupational zones.

A

In the British zone only 1.3% of Germans were punished an in the French only 2.6% whereas the Americans were more zealous in prosecuting.

24
Q

What did the task of de-nazification prove to be for the Allies?

A

Too big of a task - they increasingly handed judgements over to local German authorities.

25
Q

What did the Allies become more concerned with after 1948?

A

Containing Communism - less interested in de-nazification.

26
Q

What were destroyed in the de-nazification programme?

A

Symbols of Nazi rule such as the Swastika at the Nuremberg stadium.

27
Q

What happened to most leading Nazis?

A

They were able to use their connections to escape justice, while less important Nazis were caught and punished. This created resentment and undermined the process.

28
Q

When was the de-nazification process called to a halt?

A

1951

29
Q

When did the first federal elections take place?

A

August 1949

30
Q

What was the outcome of the 1949 election?

A

The CDU/CSU emerged with a narrow victory, gaining 139 seats compared to the SPD’s 131 seats. Adenauer became the first chancellor of the FRG.

31
Q

Which party did Adenauer belong to?

A

CDU

32
Q

What were the 3 main parties?

A

CDU/CSU (centre, Christian), SPD (left) and FDP (liberals)