political stability FRG Flashcards
when did political parties begin to be set up in Germany?
June 1945
what was the message of all political parties in the 50s and early 60s, even those who had previously been more extreme?
moderation and controlling extremism
when did the KPD announce itself, what did it want?
11th June 1945, wanted German socialism with land reform, new education system and democratic gov
when did the SPD re-form?
15th June 1945
how were the policies of the SPD more radical than those of the KPD?
wanted nationalisation of banks, land, key industries and social welfare systems to be provided
what two significant church based groups were set up?
Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
Christian Social Union (CSU)
why did the faith based groups and liberal groups negotiate to form single parties, what did they learn from Weimar?
having number of smaller parties with similar aims meant people spread votes and their power was reduced
what did the liberal groups form in 1947?
the Free Democratic Party (FDP)
who did all faith groups join, except CSU?
CDU
when was the Basic Law announced?
23rd May 1949
what did the Basic Law seem to outline?
a very free and liberal democracy
what groups that opposed Weimar no longer had significant power bases to oppose a gov?
army, trade unions, monarchists and aristocracy
what 3 things did the basic law promise?
equal rights regardless of race, political views, religion etc
free speech and no censorship
state education for all
what clauses showed that the Basic Law could be used to be more repressive?
could ban political parties that undermined FRG
when did the first FRG elections take place?
14th August 1949
what percent of the vote did the CDU/CSU, SPD, FDP win in the first election?
CDU/CSU- 31%
SPD-29.2%
FDP-11.9%
who was the first chancellor of the FRG?
Adenauer - CDU leader
when was Adenauer chancellor?
1949-1963
why did Adenauer have critics?
people opposed his authoritarian style and forceful management of Bundestag
what was the benefit of Adenauer’s forceful personality?
kept coalitions working together until 1957 when CDU/CSU won majority
what goals did Adenauer set out to achieve?
uniting Germany and closer European integration
why did people support unification with the West?
fastest route for FRG to become self governing and quickest way to rebuild economy
why did people oppose closer relations with West?
would hold back German unification