Political and governmental change: 1918-1989

Question 1

What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 1

• 28 June 1919
• Article 231, forced Germans to accept the blame for starting the war
• Army reduced to 100000 soldiers, air force disbanded and Rhineland demilitarised
• £6.6 billion in reparations
• 13% of German land lost, Polish corridor, Alsace and Lorraine, all overseas colonies
• Denied entry into the League of Nations

Question 2

What were the features of the new constitution?

Answer 2

• All men and women over the age of 20 could vote
• Operated under proportional representation
• Resulted in many coalitions, 29 in 1920
• Article 48 allowed the President to declare a state of emergency and pass laws without consulting the Reichstag
• Use of article 48 to organise weak coalitions make the government look in constant crisis

Question 3

Adenauer:

Answer 3

• Chancellor from 1949-1963
• The most significant politician in FRG
• Benefited from forceful policy as he kept coalitions working together
• Did not recognise East German government
• Strong and steady leadership style contributes to political stability, provided a sense of continuity and confidence in the government
• Concentrated on domestic economy and foreign policy
• Set out goals to unite Germany and gain further integration into Europe
• Worked to exclude political opposition, especially left wing
• Many felt that Adenauer allows too many ex-Nazis into the government
• The idea of “year zero” was born
• Included support of a free market economy
• Supported the arrest of Journalists who criticised the competence of the German army (Der Spigel affair)
• Promised to resign in 1963 in order to preserve coalition
• Introduced pension reform and expanded social welfare
• ECSC, aimed to coordinate coal and steel production to prevent future wars and to promote integration
• EEC, aimed to create a common market among member states
• NATO
• Marshall Aid, 510 million dollars used to modernise Germany

Question 4

Erhard:

Answer 4

• Chancellor from 1963-1966
• Supported CDU
• Introduced a budget that included such heavy taxation that the FDP minister resigned
• Resigned in 1966 as he could not form a coalition
• Brilliant economist credited with the Wirtschaftswunder
• Pursued policies of privatisation
• Introduced vocational training, housing support
• Promoted part-time work and temporary employment

Question 5

Kiesinger:

Answer 5

• Chancellor from 1966-1969
• 1967 Stabilisation law meant government could intervene to support economy
• Formed “Grand Coalition” with CDU/CSU/SPD
• VAT from 10% to 12%
• Kiesinger first CDU chancellor to support Ostpolitik
• Removed from power due to shift in coalition support for Brandt and the SPD
• Former Nazi party official, sparked controversy due to his overshadowed past

Question 6

Brandt:

Answer 6

• Chancellor from 1969-1974
• First SPD chancellor
• Aimed to achieve peaceful existence
• Pushed forward the policy of Ostpolitik, normalising relationships with East Germany
• Visited East Germany, recognising both both sides of Germany as separate states, Adenauer had rejected it
• Introduced the decriminalisation of homosexuality and reducing the voting age to 18
• Increase to university funds, including 300% spending increase
• Members of the SPD joined the CDU and forced a “constructive vote of no confidence” but failed to remove Brandt
• Brandt called an election of confidence for the SPD and Ostpolitik and won the most seats with the highest turnout ever
• Resigned in 1974 after one of his advisors was discovered as a GDR spy

Question 7

Schmidt:

Answer 7

• Chancellor from 1974-1982
• New SPD chancellor
• Faced a period of economic and domestic upheaval
• Won elections mainly because there was no viable alternative
• Careful not to introduce extreme policies
• Accused of introducing high taxation and welfare cuts
• Faced opposition from the growing Green party
• Forced to resign after a “constructive vote of no confidence”

Question 8

Kohl:

Answer 8

• Chancellor from 1982-1998
• Supported CDU
• Inherited a government where the media was uncovering corruption scandals that affected politicians in every party except the Green party
• Promised continuity and supported Ostpolitik
• Faced a sustained outbreak of terrorism
• Working towards the unification of Germany

Question 9

Basic Law:

Answer 9

• Served as the constitution of Germany
• Established in 1949 following the division between East and West Germany
• Drafted with the goal of creating a democratic and federal state that would uphold human rights and ensure stability after the tumultuous years of Nazi rule and the war
• Half of the votes were first past the post
• Proportional representation with 5% threshold remained
• Emergency powers still existed, but with strict limitations
• Article 1 guaranteed human dignity as the highest constitutional value
• Article 21 declared parties that seek to undermine democracy were banned

Question 10

CDU:

Answer 10

• Christian Democratic Union
• Centre-right political party
• Conservative values
• Commitment to European integration