Past Paper Questions Flashcards
How far do you agree that the policy of Ostpolitik was the most significant development in relations between East and West Germany in the years 1949 - 1980?
Ostpolitik involves:
- motorway
- improved postal services
- recognition of GDR, abandonment of Hallstein Doctrine
but - Das Bild still uses ‘GDR’, athletes referred to as ‘Soviet zone’, tensions remain
- Berlin blockade and airlift, 1948-49
- Berlin Wall, 1961-1989
How far do you agree that economic development in West Germany was significantly greater than in East Germany, in the years 1949-91?
West:
- 2nd industrial nation in world
- 3rd biggest trade country in world
- Living standards higher
- Marshall Aid, no USSR stripping,
- Economic miracle
East:
- Collectivisation ultimately successful
- 60 per cent of industry nationalised by 1949
- Despite USSR asset-stripping
- Agricultural productivity doubled after collectivisation
How far do you agree that the partition of Germany into two states in 1949 was primarily the result of currency reform?
- Currency reform
- Truman Doctrine, Marshall Aid
- Ideological disputes
- Suspicion
- Disagreements at Potsdam
- Behaviour of USSR (failure to supply agriculture to West, retaliation 1946)
- Propaganda
How far do you agree that the weakness of the East German economy was mainly responsible for the collapse of communism in East Germany in 1989?
- Economic weakness
- Honecker having gall-bladder surgery
- Rising political protest (Leipzig, Monday demonstrations)
- Loss of USSR support due to Gorbachev’s policies (Glasnost, Perestroika)
- Mass emigration
- Propaganda of West
To what extent were the actions of the western Allies in the years 1945-1949 responsible for the partition of Germany into two separate states?
- Western Currency Reform
- Truman Doctrine, Marshall Aid
- Suspicion of Communism, refuse Stalin’s plans for united, neutral Germany in 1952
vs - USSR asset stripping and failure to supply produce to West
- USSR Berlin Blockade
How accurate is it to suggest that relations between West and East Germany greatly improved in the 1960s and 1970s?
Improved:
- Ostpolitik
- Improved postal services, motorway
- GDR allowed to watch and listen to FRG TV and radio
- FRG visitors allowed into GDR
- GDR to FRG escapees no longer criminals if they want to visit family in GDR
- Visits between Honecker and Brandt
Stayed same or worsened:
- Berlin Wall
- FRG increases benefits to GDR escapees
- Das Bild ‘GDR’, athletes from Soviet zone
To what extent did West Germany experience an ‘economic miracle’ in the years 1948-1969?
- Increased living standards
- 2nd best industrial nation in world
- 3rd largest trader
- Marshall Aid stimulates economy
- Hard work of German people
- No asset stripping like in GDR
- Industrial assets like Ruhr, returned to FRG in 1955 after signing of the European Coal and Steel Act
How far was the collapse of communism in East Germany in 1989 due to the influence of external pressures?
- Collapse due to:
- Economic weakness
- Mass emigration
- Actions of Gorbachev, loss of USSR support
- Failure of Honecker to reform or change
- Mass protests
- Honecker absent, gall-bladder surgery
- Propaganda of West
How significant was the influence of the Soviet Union in the political and economic development of East Germany in the years 1949-1990?
- Soviet Union forces merger between SPD and KED to form SED
- Stalin desired Socialist Paradise in GDR
- Economic changes:
- Collectivisation
- 60 per cent of industry nationalised by 1949
- USSR support of soldiers enforces policies
- USSR intervention in June Uprising, 1943
To what extent was the rapid move towards the reunification of Germany in the years 1989-91 due to the actions of the West German government?
- Propaganda
- Kohl
How far was Konrad Adenauer responsible for the economic growth and prosperity in West Germany in the years 1949-1963?
- WHAT DID KONRAD DO!?!??!
- Marshall Aid
- Work of German people
- Trade with GDR
Why were events in Berlin so important to the relations between West and East Germany in the years 1945-1991?
- Symbolic
- Berlin Blockade triggers partition
- Berlin Airlift shows Allied determination
- Berlin Wall finalises division and prompts unification with it’s fall
How far do you agree that Willy Brandt was responsible for the improvements in relations between West and East Germany in the years 1969-79?
- Ostpolitik highly significant
-
To what extent was the collapse of communism in East Germany in 1989 due to the refusal of Honecker’s government to introduce political reforms?
- Honecker’s stubborn
- Economic weakness
- USSR actions (Gorbachev)
- Mass protest
- Mass emigration
How far do you agree that the Berlin Crisis was mainly responsible for the partition of Germany into two separate states in 1949?
- Berlin Blockade openly aggressive
- In response to currency reform
- Seeds sown at Potsdam
- Differing ideologies
- Propaganda
- Formation of Bizonia
