How far had the political and social stability been achieved by 1963? Flashcards
What groups of people were specifically suffering post-war?
-refugees, PoWs (prisoners of war) and disabled people
When was the Equalisation of Burdens Law?
1953
What was the Equalisation of Burdens Law?
-money given to people who had been affected by WW2 and it’s designed to prevent inequality->prevent social tensions->143 billion Deutsche marks (DM) redistributed
When was the 131 Law?
1951
What was the 131 Law?
-restored employment and pension rights of former civil servants (anyone who works for the government)->aimed to reintegration of Nazi sympathisers by restoring pension/work rights->builds cohesiveness
What does Wiedergutmachung mean?
‘making good again’ Policy which offered reparations to Nazi victims
What did Adenauer recognise the importance of to do with the Nazi years?
-addressing the brutality of the Nazi years and offered compensation
-no acceptance of collective guilt for Nazi crimes but they were acknowledged as in need of reparations
What did Wiedergutmachung help to show the international countries?
-that they were moving on from the past
What did the German-Israeli compensation agreement give Germany? When?
-3,450 million DM in 1952
What Unions/Union laws were integrated?
-The German Federation of Trade Union
-Co-determination Law of 1951
-Works Constitution Law of 1952
When was the TU system (Trade union) simplified? How/what organisation was created?
-1949
-creation of 16 workers unions->covered by 1 umbrella organisation->The German Federation of Trade Unions
When was the Co-Determination Law?
1951
What was the Co-Determination Law?
-gave workers representatives on managerial boards in coal, iron and steel industries, appeased workers who wanted nationalisation and redistribution of property (SPD principles)
When was the Works Constitution Law?
1952
What was the Works Constitution Law?
-created a work council for all companies of over 500 employees
What was the results of the integration of the unions?
-TUs (trade unions) stepped back from politics and few strikes
What did the Welfare State’s system of social security being reinstituted and expanded include?
-unemployment benefit
-accident insurance
-sickness insurance->much improved in 1957 with sick pay
-pensions reformed in 1957->pension was 60% of persons earnings (UK=29%
-public assistance was desperate
-family welfare (eg child allowances) and from 1954 there was child benefit
-state supported new housing from 1949-1961->6 million new flats and half of them were council homes
Why was education a particular focus for the Allied Occupation from 1945?
-as the Nazi education system had been so effective->education reform was focused on instilling democratic principles->there was little agreement on a common education policy from the Bizone
What was done about education?
-traditional German school system was retained which Germans welcomed
-Primary school were maintained as well as selective grammar and vocational schools
-German universities were the preserve of the elite (only the elite could go)
Who was the responsibility of education passed to? When?
-responsibility passed to Lander in 1949
What sort of practical issues were there with post-war education?
-lack of staff
-lack of resources
-lack of buildings
-lack of large classes
What were the issues with having new teachers?
-they were often unqualified and limited training was offered
What did the curriculum return to? Why?
-returned to what it was like in the Weimar years->there was no clear consensus on how to progress
When were the Abolition of fees?
1958
When was the Dusseldorf agreement?
1958
What were the Abolition of fees and the Dusseldorf agreement?
-organisation of school holidays, school years ad examination subjects
Why was there limited progress in education?
-lack of consensus and communist fears
What were the main issues with education?
-the economic prosperity disguised the weakness in educational reform
-focus on Weimar era and traditionalist approach
-no desire to mimic the reforms of the GDR (East Germany)
-Lander couldn’t agree on a policy
What were the positives about women?
-legally women given equal rights by constitution
-Law of Equality of the Sexes in 1957
-more opportunities for women due to expanding admin and service sector->a female workforce was seen as a positive in the FRG
-developments in household appliances made balancing home and work life easier
When was the Law of Equality of the Sexes?
1957
What was the Law of Equality of the Sexes?
-legally women given equal rights by constitution
-Law of Equality of the Sexes in 1957->gave women the right to seek employment even without the consent of their husbands and keep control of property after marriage
-more opportunities for women due to expanding admin and service sector->a female workforce was seen as a positive in the FRG
-developments in household appliances made balancing home and work life easier
What were the negatives facing women?
-not paid equally (40% less than men)
-not equal numbers in higher education (19% in 1950 and 30% in 1968
-still largely traditional and conservative in views towards women promoted by the Catholic Church
-Three KKKs were still seen as relevant and the main role for females
What were the economic living standards like even despite the ‘economic miracle’?
-most incomes grew slowly for industrial and office workers which led to modest living->most people continued with war time savings and attitudes to money
What percentage of people in 1955 were still living in basic subsistence level?
20%
What percentage of people in 1955 were living in a one bedroom flat/house?
over 50%
By 1955 what were the average working week hours?
49
How many people in 1955 had never had a holiday?
over a third
What did the improved Trade Union representation led to an increase of in 1955?
increase in incomes and living standards
By 1962 what had the working week changed to?
-working week reduced to 40 hours and 5 day working week with longer holidays
By 1962 what percentage of households owned a fridge?
63%
By 1962 what percentage of households owned a tv?
42%
By 1962 what percentage of households owned a car?
38%
By 1962 what percentage of households owned a washing machine?
36%
Why did social envy reduce by 1962?
-people were not ashamed to show off their wealth
What decade did consumerism take off?
1960s
What was the phrase ‘without me’ used to describe?
-used to describe the mentality of Germans who wanted to make up for the years of war and focus on home, work and family
-focus for many Germans was not on politics but family and material achievements
How did the US influence Germany?
-traditional culture gradually declined
-mass media expanded->cinema and tv spread US culture
-attracted to fashions, rock ‘n’ roll music and Coca Cola
What evidence is there for increasing youth protest?
-Teddy Boy riots 1956-1958
-rejected old ideas and rebellion against family values
How did the FRG bring political stability?
-equalisation of Berlin’s Law->increase political stability and make people happy
-got rid of proportional representation in its entirety and replaced it with the 5% threshold (in order to gain a seat you had to have 5%)->no little parties in government->keeping out extremism and keeping stability through bigger parties->reduces the number of coalitions and extremists in government
