maintaining political stability under Brandt, Schmidt and Kohl, 1965-89 Flashcards
LO: the Grand Coalition under Kurt Kiesinger, Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt, Helmut Kohl
what led to the formation of the ‘Grand Coalition’ and when?
Erhard’s resignation in 1966, with CDU/CSU and SPD coming together due to economic challenges, inc. the Berlin Wall’s impact and halted migration from the GDR
what did the SPD’s Bad Godesberg program in 1959 signify?
the SPD reformed, rejecting the overthrow of capitalism, instead aiming to reform it. It adopted policies supporting competition, NATO membership, and aimed to broaden its appeal beyond the working class
why was Kiesinger’s govt criticised?
He was a former Nazi party member, and faced opposition esp. in 1968 when his govt amended the constitution to introduce emergency measures, causing concerns about authoritarianism during student protests
what led to the end of the CDU’s dominance in West German politics?
it ended due to events like the Eichmann trial, Auschwitz trials, and frustrations over Berlin and German reunification issues
what event marked the end of the Grand Coalition?
it ended in 1969 when Kiesinger lost SPD support, and the SPD with FDP’s help, formed the first SPD-led govt post-war
what was Willy Brandt’s significant contribution in the 1960s and 1970s?
Brandt, as Vice Chancellor, led ‘Ostpolitik’, seeking better relations with the GDR and Eastern Bloc, inc. the 1973 Basic Treaty that each country recognised the GDR and FRG’s right to exist
what was Ostpolitik under Willy Brandt?
It aimed to normalise relations between the FRG and GDR, emphasising cooperation, human contact, and peace through convergence, recognising both Germanies’ existence
how did Brandt’s govt handle opposition to Ostpolitik?
he faced a no-confidence vote from the CDU/CSU in 1972, but his govt remained stable, with the public opposing attempts to unseat an elected government
what issues led to instability in Brandt’s govt?
challenges included inflation, welfare spending, terrorism, and the Guillaume espionage scandle, which led to Brandt’s resignation in 1974
what happened after Brandt’s resignation in 1974?
he resigned after his aide was arrested for spying. he was replaced by Helmut Schmidt, marking a smooth transition that reflected the stability of the political system
what were the major issues faced by Schmidt’s govt?
Red Army Faction (RAF) terrorism, SPD divisions on nuclear weapons, and growing tensions over NATO missile deployment
what led to Schmidt’s resignation and when was it?
he resigned in 1982 after the FDP crossed over to the CDU/CSU due to disagreements on a cost-cutting budget, resulting in a successful vote of no confidence
how did Helmut Kohl form his govt in 1983?
he formed a new coalition with the FDP after the 1983 lections, pursuing policies like Ostpolitik and economic reforms
what was the Green Party’s role in the 1980s?
the Green Party emerged as a political force, gaining seats in the Bundestag starting in 1983, signaling growing support for environmental issues
what were some of Kohl’s economic policies?
he focused on reducing govt spending, introducing tax cuts over seven years, and maintaining a social market economy with subsidies for farming and coal mining
what was the Flick Affair and its impact on Kohl’s govt?
It involved a corruption scandal where FDP finance minister Lambsdorff was implicated in tax exemptions and political donations, but little changed after the media investigation
what was the significance of the Berlin Wall’s fall in 1989 for Kohl?
it boosted Kohl’s leadership, as he successfully managed the reunification of Germany in 1990, marking a historic achievement
what were Kohl’s major challenges despite his stability?
the rise of the Green Party, corruption scandales (e.g. Flick Affair), and the complexities of reunification
what were the events/developments that helped to put Ostpolitik into practice?
Brandt’s visit to the GDR in 1970 when he received a rapturous welcome, the Basic Treaty in June 1973 in which the two Germanies recognised each other’s right to exist, and the exchange of diplomats meaning they formally recognised each other
what factors showed there was stability under Brandt’s govt?
anti-Nazi credentials
criticised Berlin Wall (1961)
governmental experience in Grand Coalition as VC
ostpolitik
fist FRG leader to visit GDR
Basic Treaty ending Hallstein Treaty
failure of vote of no confidence
GDR and FRG formally recognised each other
what factors showed there was instability under Brandt’s govt?
issues such as terrorism, inflation and public spending
Guillaume arrested for being a Stasi spy
what factors showed there was stability under Schmidt’s govt?
continued Ostpolitik
took measures against RAF
what factors showed there was instability under Schmidt’s govt?
divisions within SPD (eg. protests against stationing nuclear weapons in the FRG)
vote of no confidence
give a couple statistics to show Green Party’s success in elections during the 1980s
in 1980, GP had 0 seats and only 1.5% of the vote, whereas by 1987 they had 7% of the vote and 42 seats
what was the social market economy?
a middle way between a capitalist, free market, and a more state controlled socialist economy
when was the Flick Affair?
1984
