FRG - Leaders

Question 1

What years did Adenauer rule as chancellor?

Answer 1

1949 to 1963

Question 2

Stability under ADENAUER

Answer 2

• His forceful personality kept coalitions together until 1957 when the CDU/CSU gained majority
• 1952 banned Socialist Reich Party (extreme right)
• 1956 banned the KDP
• Excluded left wing political parties by making changes to vote allocations and seat in Bundestag
• His choices to exclude smaller parties meant that there was stability but resulted in 3 party coalitions with shifting coalitions

Question 3

Instability under ADENAUER

Answer 3

• Focus on Western integration meant he was seen to focus little on reunification with the east
• Criticised for appointing weak ministers who he treated as advisers.
• SPD and FDP objected to his authoritarian management of the Bundestag.
• Year Zero approach allowed too many ex-Nazis into government.

Question 4

What years did Erhard rule as chancellor?

Answer 4

1963 to 1966

Question 5

What years did Kiesinger rule as chancellor?

Answer 5

1966 to 1969

Question 6

What happened under Erhard and Kiesinger?

Answer 6

Erhard tried to introduce emergency policy to search phones, blocked by the SPD until 1968 when extremist parties rose
Kiesinger entered into grand coaltion with the SPD

Question 7

What years did Brandt rule as Chancellor?

Answer 7

1969 to 1974

Question 8

Stability under BRANDT

Answer 8

• Establishment of Ostpolitik that continued until reunification, helping to normalise relations with East Germany.
• Vote in 1972 saw highest voter turnout ever and lead to SDP majority
• Improved international relations, especially with communist Eastern Europe.

Question 9

Instability under BRANDT

Answer 9

• Ostpolitik was met with serious oppositions
• CSU/CDU tried to undermine Brandt
• Significant FDP and CDU members joined together to try a vote of no confidence in 1972 against Brandt but failed.
• GDR spy infiltrated and acted as Brandt’s advisor, forcing his resignation

Question 10

What years did Schmidt rule as chancellor?

Answer 10

1974 to 1982

Question 11

Stability under SCHMIDT

Answer 11

• Careful not to introduce policy that rocked the boat
• Sought reconciliation with soviet block as well as maintaining relationship with the west (remained part of NATO and joined the EEC)

Question 12

Instability under SCHMIDT

Answer 12

• Faced opposition from newly formed Green Party
• Seen to be as conservative as CSU with high tax and welfare cuts
• Vote of no confidence in 1982 lead to replacements

Question 13

What years did Kohl rule as chancellor?

Answer 13

1983 to 1990

Question 14

Stability under KOHL

Answer 14

• Strong economic recovery. GNP rose 1.3% in 1983, first growth since 1980
• Signed the treaty with GDR which unified their political and economic systems

Question 15

Instability under KOHL

Answer 15

• Unemployment remained high
• Opposition from the Greens
• Terrorism