Political dissent + active challenge, 1949-89 Flashcards
1
Q
Political dissent + active challenge, 1949-89
A
- Basic Law became constitution, with free speech, freedom of the press and no censorship
- opposition had voice again
- SPD voiced political opposition in 50s - against moves by Adenauer - ‘year zero’ + align with Europe
2
Q
Demonstrations + marches in the 1950s
A
- clause in Basic Law - political parties could exist as long as they didn’t threaten constitution/principles of democracy - used to ban Socialist Reich party - 1952
- KPD unable to win seats so organised communist demonstrations e.g. 1953 - communists clashed with police in Munich
3
Q
Changes in the 60s
A
- FRG found it’s political feet in Europe + ‘econ miracle’’ made econ strong
- ppl grew in confidence
- yg increased due to post war baby boom - objected ‘year zero’ + ex-Nazi positions of political power, wanted to confront Nazi past
- adopted slogan ‘what did you do in the war daddy?’ reversal of Brit recruitment poster for WW1 - to taunt og + some yg felt dislocated by widespread lack of fam history
- protests against FRG’s military involvement - NATO + storing atomic weapons
- discontent with USA conducting war in Vietnam
4
Q
The APO
A
- came about partly due to distrust of young intellectuals for consv govt + no left-wing parties to absorb them
- left wing felt unrepresented
- APO had strong uni membership many supported radical theories to oppose govt
5
Q
The SDS
A
- radical protest in 60’s + violent terrorism of 70’s directed at human rights + moral issues in the world in the world e.g. Vietnam war + nuclear weapons
- protested about former Nazis holding office in govt - ‘Auschwitz generation’’ + FRG’s involvement in NATO
6
Q
The constitutional + legal responses to political extremism, 1949-89
A
- extreme protests linked to govt responses to protests
- ppl didn’t turn to extremism in large #’s but, level of sympathy for terrorist groups in early 70’s
- like Weimar govt, came down heavily on left-wing extremists
7
Q
Policing the ppl
A
- BfV + BND investigated ppl suspected of working against Basic Law
- 1968 - Emergency Law - ‘ moments of political tension’ - some groups silenced, others decided terrorism was only way
- end of 70’s, less terrorist activity in FRG, seen as success for govt but, govt’s actions that encouraged rise of terrorism int the first place
8
Q
People management
A
- employment ban initially aimed at specified political parties may pose a threat to democracy - but seldom applied less than 100 ppl lost their jobs 1950-72
