Occupation, Democracy and Opposition Flashcards
How was Berlin denazified?
The remaining Nazi architecture was demolished and swastikas were removed
How were Nazi politicians dealt with?
Leading members of the Nazis Government were put on trial for their war crimes in the Nuremberg trials
What were ‘Persil Certificates’?
Questionnaires that determined the level of connection to the party and confirmed the holder to be clean of the taint of National Socialism
What was the problem with ‘Persil Certificates’?
It could not be distinguished between genuine Nazis and those who had joined the party to preserve
When was the first opposition to the FRG?
In October 1962, a newspaper article reported on the FRG’s weak military defenses. The paper’s editor was imprisoned.
What did the first opposition to the FRG cause?
A public outcry over freedom of speech. This led to the constitution being amended so that individual rights of the person may be limited in times of crisis.
Who was chancellor in 1962?
Nazi-affiliated Kiesinger
Where did the most fierce opposition come from?
The Student population
What happened when the Shah of Iran came to Berlin in 1967?
Students gathered in protest against him and his violent regime. Police responded with violence which the students saw as the re-emergence of Fascism.
What angered the students the most in 1979?
The horrors of the holocaust had been discovered and had become disillusioned with their parent generation for it.
Who were the RAF?
A militant communist faction that robbed banks, assassinated political figures for the purpose of fighting fascism and capitalism.
What was the 5% rule?
Meant that political parties would have to more than 5% of the total percentage of the vote to gain seats in the Bundestag - Constitution 1953
What was the purpose of the Constitutional court?
Investigate threats to democracy and then to illegalise membership of that party eg. the KDP.
What was the opposite of the RAF?
The Republikaner movement - founded by former SS soldier, Schonhuber, which mainly drew support from the poorly educated and the unemployed.
How were the Republikaner unsuccessful?
They never reached the 5% to enter the Bundestag. The movement died out by 2001
