Opposition, control and consent, 1945-89 Flashcards
There were bigger issues to focus on in the 1950s, what did mean for political challenge?
Meant political challenge against Adenauer’s governmental was less prevalent than in later decades.
What issues existed in the 1950s that made it anti-government protest was less prevalent?
Initially superficial conformity due to these other bigger issues. BUT later generations were more willing to deal with the past and use violence to oppose capitalism.
- Rebuilding the government and working together in coalition governments.
- Establishing a sense of West German identity while leaving the prospect of East German unification open.
- Rebuilding the economy and the nation’s infrastructure.
- Working for closer European integration and establishing the FRG as a moderate, and not extremist, nation and member of there European community.
How did Adenauer and his administration react to opposition?
They worked to exclude political opposition (especially left-wing opposition).
1950s:
What happened in 1952?
The extreme right-wing Socialist Reich Party was banned under Aricle 21 of the Basic Law.
1950s:
What happened in 1953?
Changes to vote allocations and seats in the Bundestag made it harder for small political parties to gain a seat (this was restricted even further in 1957).
1950s:
What happened in 1956?
The German Communist Party (KPD) was declared unconstitutional in their attitude towards democratic government under Article 21.
1950s:
Were Adenauer’s moves of excluding political opposition (e.g banning Socialist Reich Party and changing vote allocation) stabilising?
Yes, the moves were politically stabilising and resulted in a Bundestag that was a three-party house (CDU/CSU; FDP; SD) with shifting and cooperative coalitions.
1950s:
At this time, who was most critical of the FRG government?
Left-wing sympathisers. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) were critical of Adenauer’s ‘Atlanticist’ aim.
1950s:
What were the Social Democratic Party (SPD) critical of?
- Critical of Adenauer’s ‘Atlanticist’ aim to establish closer ties to the West, which may jeopardise the prospect of unification with the GDR.
- Criticised the Adenauer administration for working against the democratic spirit of the Basic Law.
- Criticised his ‘year zero’ approach to integrating Nazis into the civil service and the economy.
1950s:
What was the largest party in the coalition government that was formed after the first elections of in August 1949?
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - not surprising as it didn’t allow the SPD (the party with the most radical political agenda) to be represented in the government, despite receiving 29.2% of the votes. The SPD were very critical of Adenauer and his ‘year zero’ approach, Atlanticist aim etc.
1950s:
Before their disbandment in 1956, what did the KPD do?
Having been unable to win enough seats in the Bundestag to feel represented there, they organised communist demonstrations in the German cities.
1950s:
In Munich 1953, what happened?
Approximately 6,000 communists clashed with the police, who used water cannon to disperse the marchers.
When did the KPD organise communist demonstrations in the German cities?
1956 - they had been unable to win enough seats in the Bundestag to feel represented there
When did 6,000 communists clash with the police?
1953 - Munich
1950s:
What was Article 21 of the Basic Law?
The article stated that political parties may be freely established and their internal organisation must conform to democratic principles. However, if through their aims or behaviours a party seeks to undermine or abolish the free democratic order and endanger the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany it will be deemed unconstitutional.
1950s:
What was the ‘year zero approach’
Adenauer and others argued that letting ex-Nazis work within the democratic system was the quickest way to move on from Germany’s past and establish an effective civil service. For this reason, in 1951, Article 131 was added to the Basic Law, officially allowing ex-Nazis to work in the civil service.
What were the KPD’s reasons for opposition?
Criticised the government’s economic aims and, instead, emphasised the need for “German socialism”, not capitalism with land reform, a new education system, a new education system and a democratic government.
What were the measure put in place used to overcome KPD opposition?
- Police - used water cannon to disperse the marchers in Munich 1953.
- 1965 - under Article 21, KPD declared unconstitutional in their attitude towards government.
- Use of BfV to investigate individuals thought to be working against Basic Law - used to disband protest movements associated with KPD.
- Employment ban.
What were the Socialist Reich Party’s reasons for opposition?
- Heir to the Nazi party
- Condemned what it saw to be West German dependence on the USA.
What were the measure put in place used to overcome Socialist Reich Party opposition?
- Banned under Article 21 of the Basic Law.
- Use of BfV to investigate individuals thought to be working against Basic Law -
What were the SPD’s reasons for opposition?
- Critical of ‘Atlanticist’ aims to establish ties to the West and not the GDR.
- Questioned the democratic nature of Germany under Adenauer.
- ‘Year zero’ approach.
- Economic policies (e.g. wanted the nationalisation of banks, land and key industries, as well as significant social welfare policies).
What were the measure put in place used to overcome SPD opposition?
The CDU under Adenauer did not allow the SPD to be represented in the government, despite receiving 29.2% of votes in the August 1949 election.
What other reasons (on top of the government’s measures to control opposition) explain why Adenauer’s administration did not face more opposition during the 19505?
- General understanding that there were bigger issues to focus on which prevented people from opposing.
- 1953 - challenges to vote allocations and seats in the Bundestag made it harder for small political parties to gain seats.
Who opposed the FRG in the 1950s and why?
Opposition predominantly came from political parties in the FRG:
* German Communist Party (KPD) - criticised the government’s economic aims and, instead, emphasised the need for ‘German socialism’, not capitalism, with land reform, a new education system and a democratic government.
* Socialist Reich Party - heir to the Nazi Party. Condemned what it saw to be the West German dependence on the USA.
* Social Democratic Party - critical of ‘Atlanticist’ aims to establish ties to the West not the GDR; questioned the democratic nature of Germany under Adenauer and his ‘year zero’ approach. In terms of economic policies they wanted the nationalisation of banks, land and key industries, as well as significant social welfare policies.
How did the government control opposition in the 1950s?
- The government used Article 21 of the Basic Law to declare the Socialist Reich Party and KPD unconstitutional in 1952 and 1956, respectively.
- The CDU under Adenaeur did not allow the SPD to be represented in the government, despite receiving 29.2% of votes in the August 1949 election.
- Two organisations called the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) and the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) were set up in 1950 and 1956, respectively, to investigate people they suspected of working against the Basic Law (both organisations were, however, restricted by the civil rights liberties granted to people under the Basic Law. They were forbidden to open mail search homes or monitor phone calls)
- In 1950, an employment ban (Berufsverbot) restricted employment in government and was initially aimed at political parties which could pose a threat to democracy (such as the KPD).
- Use of police force to disband protest movements associated with the KPD.
Why did Adenauer’s regime not face more opposition in the 1950s?
- Bigger issues - there was a general understanding that there were bigger issues to focus on which prevented people from opposing the government of the FRG (e.g rebuilding the economy and infrastructure; establishing Germany internationally, creating political stability)
- Nature of the Basic Law - changes to voting allocations restricted the ability of extremist parties to gain representation in the Bundestag (parties had to receive at least 5% of votes to gain seats).
- Union of political parties - (e.g liberal parties forming the Free Democratic Party; faith-based groups joining the CDU) reduced polarisation of politics and, therefore, platforms for political opposition in the early years.
- Adenauer’s ‘chancellor democracy’ - Authoritarian style and forceful management of the Bundestag; both Chancellor and Foreign Minister; forceful personality ensured coalitions worked together until 1957; worked to exclude opposition; created politically stability.
1950s:
How did the union of political parties e.g liberal parties forming the FDP and faith based groups joining the CDU help the government control opposition?
It reduced polarisation of politics and, therefore, platforms for political opposition in the early years.
1950s:
How did Adenauer’s ‘chancellor democracy’ help the government control opposition?
Authoritarian style and forceful management of the Bundestag; both Chancellor and Foreign Minister; forceful personality ensured coalitions worked together until 1957; worked to exclude opposition; created politically stability.
When was the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) set up?
1950
When was the Bundesnachrichtendienst
(BND) set up?
1956
What two organisations were set up to investigate people they suspected of working against the Basic Law?
The Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) and the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND).
Initially, what were the BfV and the BND hampered by?
Initially, both organisations were hampered by the civil rights liberties granted to people under the Basic Law: they were forbidden to open mail, search homes or monitor phone calls.
However by 1968, what did the government pass that allowed the BND to use extreme measures like opening mail?
In 1968, the government managed to pass the Emergency Law, allowing the BND to use measures e.g open mail, search homes or monitor phone calls, and have wider powers of arrest and detention. The law allowed police activity, to track down terrorists.
1960S:
What was the situation by the 1960s?
- By the 1960s, the FRG had established itself politically and economically in Europe.
- In May 1955, the FRG had joined NATO and in March 1957, the FRG signed the Treaty of Rome to become one of the founding members of the European Economic Community (EEC) and had experienced rapid economic recovery known as the “economic recovery”.
- Germany’s younger generation from the post-war baby boom was being stirred by the wave of youth protest movements in the western world.
1960s:
Why were the youth protesting against the FRG government?
- Young people objected to the “year zero” principle which had helped Adenauer rebuild the civil service and army. They wanted to comfort confront Germany’s past and objected to ex-Nazis being in positions of political power. They adopted the slogan “What did you do in the war, Daddy?”, to taunt the older generation. Some felt dislocated by the widespread lack of family history as a result of the “year zero” ideology.
- Young people protested against the FRG’s military - its involvement with the West through NATO and the possibility that the country might begin to build and store nuclear weapons.
- Young people joined the rising discontent with the way the USA was conducting the war in Vietnam (1954-75). For them, the USA had become the face of money grabbing, repressive and imperialist capitalism.
What slogan to the young people adopt to taunt the older generation?
“What did you do in the war, Daddy?”
Why did the youth object the “year zero” policy?
They wanted to comfort confront Germany’s past and objected to ex-Nazis being in positions of political power.
Some felt dislocated by the widespread lack of family history as a result of the “year zero” ideology.
Why did young people protest against the FRG’s military?
Protested against its involvement with the West through NATO and the possibility that the country might begin to build and store nuclear weapons.
What did young people protest about the USA?
The way the USA was conducting the war in Vietnam (1954-75). For them, the USA had become the face of money grabbing, repressive and imperialist capitalism.
1960s:
Two groups that had, as their core membership, left-wing intellectuals many of whom were students or young professionals
The Extra-Parliamentary Opposition (APO)
The German Socialist Student Union (SDS)
How did opposition movements change in the 1960s?
- More violent, political protest movements began to gain force in the 1960s.
- Increased demonstrations by disillusioned left-wing movements.
- Rise of political protest at social, grass-roots level (particularly among the youth who began to protest against previous generations who lived under the Nazi regime).
- Rise of active right-wing movements at a local level.
What was the APO?
The Extra-Parliamentary Opposition
What was the SDS?
The German Socialist Student Union
When did the Apostles materialise?
In the mid 1960s
When did the APO materialise?
Following the:
1. growing distrust of young intellectuals for the established, conservative government.
2. the disbanding of the KPD and other left-wing parties which could have served as a political platform from which to express dissent.
3. the reduced radicalisation of the SPD from 1959.
What did youth groups aim to protest about?
Political, moral and human rights within the FRG, repressive government measures and the moderate nature of the SPD
What did the APO aim to protest about?
The disbanding of the KPD and left-wing parties, and the reduced radicalisation of the SPD post-1959, which all could have served as a political platform from which to express dissent. Also aimed to articulate the need for “extra-parliamentary protest” with the lack of opposition in the Bundestag.
What made the APO feel unrepresented?
CDU and SPD coalition under Kurt Kiesinger - while the SPD’s revised policies (e.g the endorsement of a social market economy) gained the party more power in government, it left people on the left wing (especially students and trade unionists) feeling unrepresented.
What precipitated the collapse of Erhard’s CDU government?
The economic recession of 1965-66 which led to the rise of a coalition government between the CDU and the SPD under former Nazi Chancellor Kurt Kiesinger.
What did the student movement articulate?
A sense of protest and unease and saw the need for ‘extra-parliamentary opposition’ with the lack of opposition in the Bundestag.
Methods of the APO
Violent political protest began to gather force again and many of the APO’s members supported radical theories on how to oppose the government.
What had the SDS (the German Socialist Student Union) been part of?
The SPD
Why had the SDS broken away from the SPD?
It broke away in 1961 because it felt that the party was becoming less and less radical and no longer represented the beliefs of its members, such as rearmament. Criticised the moderate nature of the SPD.
Radical protests of the 1960s was not always directed at political issues in the FRG but what?
At various human rights and moral issues in the world as a whole.
What did the SDS protest about?
- The Vietnam War
- Nuclear weapons
- Former Nazi officials (named the Auschwitz generation) holding office in government and the FRG’s involvement in NATO.
From 1965, who was the SDS leader?
Rudi Dutschke, who some hold responsible for the escalating violence of student demonstrations.
What happened in 1967 re. the SDS?
During a demonstration against the human rights record of Iran following a visit from the Iranian Shah, conflict with the police escalated, resulting in the shooting of a student, Benno Ohnesorg.
Who was shot during demonstrations against the human rights record of Iran in 1967?
A student, Benno Ohnesorg.
What happened in April 1968 re. the SDS?
Rudi Dutschke was shot by a right-wing fanatic (a neo-Nazi reader of the right-wing newspaper Axel Springer which frequently criticised student protests), which sparked the ‘Easter Riots’, a series of attacks on offices of the Springer press all over Germany.
What were the ‘Easter Riots’?
A series of attacks on offices of the Springer press all over Germany.
What sparked the ‘Easter Riots’?
Rudi Dutschke was shot by a right-wing fanatic (a reader of the right-wing newspaper Axel Springer which frequently criticised student protests).
What did the SDS take part in?
The last major demonstration against the Emergency Law in Bonn on May 11th 1968.
May 11th 1968
The last major demonstration against the Emergency Law in Bonn - the SDS took part in it.
Why did people protest against the Emergency Law in Bonn, May 1968?
They saw it as a violation of the Basic Law’s human rights principles and evidence of the “fascist tendencies” which had existed in Germany before WWII.
What did the 1960s see?
The rise of active right-wing movements, with the neo-Nazi NPD (National Democratic Party), founded in 1964, gaining representation in several local Länd parliaments.
When was the Emergency Law passed?
30th May 1968
