Points Test 2

Question 1

2. Name three guarantees of the Basic Law (3)

Answer 1

o Freedom of expression, assembly, association and movement guaranteed by the constitution.

o ‘Provisional’ pending a proper constitution for a united Germany once a peace treaty had been signed.

o Work towards reunification

o Recognise all people of German descent now under soviet or polish rule as entitled to citizenship – entitled to live and work in FRG and receive welfare benefits and education.

Question 2

3. Why were the political safeguards introduced in West Germany? (2)

Answer 2

o To ensure the mistakes of the past – including the Weimar Republic – could not be repeated

Question 3

4. List three of the seven political safeguards (3)

Answer 3

o Representative

o Federal state

o Complex voting system

o 5% hurdle

o Only democratic parties allowed

o President not directly elected by all the people – representative convention.

o Chancellors appointed by President, support and approval of parliament.

Question 4

5. Give two negatives of Adenauer’s Domestic Aim of creating political stability (2)

Answer 4

o Controversy surrounding the use of former Nazi party members in his administration – turning a blind eye to the past.

The stability of the system could not be guaranteed in the early years

Question 5

6. Why did the BHE cease to exist from 1957? (2)

Answer 5

o The BHE failed to clear the 5% hurdle and ceased to be represented in the Bundestag

Question 6

7. How many dwellings had been built by 1957? (1)

Answer 6

o 4 million

Question 7

8. Name three reasons why West Germany already had a strong economic foundation (3)

Answer 7

o Natural advantages with good sea ports and communications (River Rhine)

o Abundant in raw materials

o Large workforce – ample man power

Question 8

9. Name three of Erhard’s political policies to help the economy (3)

Answer 8

o Only intervene when necessary

o Limited work creation scheme 1950 – address unemployment issues

o Investment Aid Law December 1951 – government subsidy of 3.2b DM offered to manufacturing industries

Question 9

10. What was ‘The Third Way’? (1) ]

Answer 9

The social market economy ‘third way’ between a completely free and unregulated market and state controlled socialist economy

Question 10

11. Give three examples of external factors that contributed to the economic miracle. (3)

Answer 10

o The Korean War

o The Marshall Plan

o Demilitarisation

Question 11

12. Name three limitations of the success of West German economy(3)

Answer 11

o Economic policies of the 1950’s widened the gap between rich and poor

o Women continued to have their social class defined by their father or husbands occupation.

o By 1958 economic growth had begun to slow down.

Question 12

1. Name Adenauer’s Five Foreign Policy Aims (5)

Answer 12

o Western integration – special relationship with America and reconciliation with France

o Full independence

o Resolution to the Saar question

o Military security

o Reunification

Question 13

2. Who was Adenauer keen to obtain and maintain relationships with? (2)

Answer 13

o America and France (the West)

Question 14

3. What was Adenauer’s first foreign policy success? (1)

Answer 14

o The Petersberg Agreements November 1949

Question 15

4. Why was the Saar at first unsuccessful for Adenauer? (1)

Answer 15

o The Saar became autonomous in March 1950 which prevented the FRG taking back control

Question 16

5. Why did it become a success for Adenauer? (1)

Answer 16

o The Saar was returned to the FRG in 1957 – the population rejected their autonomous state and elected pro-German parties, Adenauer had little responsibility for this.

Question 17

6. Which Treaty gave Germany full independence and achieved Adenauer’s 2nd foreign policy aim? (1)

Answer 17

o The General Treaty January 1951

Question 18

7. What did the Brussels Pact of October 1954 allow to happen? (2)

Answer 18

o Lifted restrictions on German economy and scientific research

o Germany was allowed to set up a Bundeswehr to guarantee security (rearmament)

Question 19

8. What event was seen as a ‘missed opportunity’ in 1952? (1

Answer 19

o Stalin’s proposal for reunification – surprisingly liberal offered a neutral Germany free from reparations with a small army.

Question 20

9. What was the Hallstein Doctrine? (1)

Answer 20

o Adenauer’s government support the view that the GDR was the second German state and established relations with the Soviet Union. Adenauer agreed to exchange ambassadors in return for the repatriation of German POW’s – extremely popular.

o FRG break of diplomatic relations with any country which established diplomatic relations with the GDR (except the USSR) – effective deterrent.

Question 21

10. Name one positive and one negative of the Hallstein Doctrine (2)

Answer 21

o POSITIVE – Enabled the FRG to prevent recognition of the GDR

o NEGATIVE – Warsaw Pact states and China did recognise the GDR prevented the FRG from having relations with these countries, hinder the FRG’s freedom of action and prevented trade.

Question 22

11. What was the Globke Plan? (1)

Answer 22

o Proposed the FRG and the GDR should recognise each others sovereignty and turn Berlin into a free city – referendum on unification could lead to free elections for a united German Parliament. Never seriously discussed.

Question 23

12. Name one positive and one negative to come from the Berlin Wall (2)

Answer 23

POSITIVE - War had been avoided by America and Adenauer tolerating the building of the wall.

NEGATIVE - West Berliners felt disillusioned with the Wests response - believed that much more could have been done, acknowledged GDR’s right to exist

Question 24

1. Why was Bonn seen as a symbol of conspicuous modesty?

Answer 24

‘Bonn is not Weimar’ – small sleepy city, small plain building where the government met that suited post-war mood of West Germany.