politics and governmental change Flashcards
How was Germany governed after world war two?
at Potsdam zones of occupation were agreed. The allies got the FRG (west)
When were political parties set up in Germany?
From June 1945
Identify the main political parties of the FRG
Left wing : KPD and SPD
Liberal: FDP
Right wing: CDU
How did political parties overcome problems faced by parties in the Weimar republic?
faith based and liberal parties both negotiated to create single parties
-realised that a large number of parties with similar aims divided votes
When was Germany permanently divided between East and west?
FRG established may 1949
German Democratic Republic established October 1949
When was the basic law created?
1 September 1948 - parliamentary council draw up Constitution
announced 23 may 1949
Identify the main features of the basic law?
➕equal rights to all citizens ➕free speech, free assembly, no censorship ➕state education available to all ➕A20 - democratic social federal state ➕A21 -parties must conform to democracy
In what ways did the basic law overcome political problems encountered in the WR?
➕army, trade unions and monarchists are less powerful pressures in FRG
➕parties need at least 5% of votes to gain representation
➕A21
What similar problems to the WR did the FRG encounter?
need for coalition governments due to lack of majority
In what ways did Adenauer bring about greater political stability 1949-63?
➕forceful management of the Bundestag kept coalitions working together
➕excluded political opposition
- 1956 Socialist Reich Party banned
-1956 KPD declared unconstitutional
What was the Hallstein Doctrine signed by the gov in 1955?
hardened the FRG’s attitude to East Germany. Recognized it as a separate country.
Why did people criticize Adenauer’s approach to governing the FRG?
➕SPD and FDP objected the ‘chancellor democracy’
➕appointed weak ministers who he treated as advisers not equals
➕his goals of European integration held back German unification
➕moves to restrict opposition countered the spirit of the basic law
➕criticized for year zero approach. too many ex-Nazi’s in government
What evidence is there that Adenauer was running counter to the democratic principles of the Basic law?
➕1961 - tried to set up gov controlled TV station
➕1962 Der Spiegel journalists arrested
Which chancellors succeeded Adenauer?
Erhard Kiesinger Brandt Schmidt Kohl
When was Kohl in power?
1963-66
Wheb was Kiesinger in power?
1966-69
When was Brandt in power?
1969-74
when was Schmidt in power?
1974-82
when was Kohl in power?
1982-98
what happened during Erhard’s chancellorship? (1963-66)
he continued Adenauer’s ‘Atlantist’ policies
Why did the CDU become increasinly divided in the 1960s?
split between Atlanticists (want work with the west) and Gaullists (want focus on German unification)
What happened during Kiesinger’s chancellorship?
➕rising opposition pushed gov to be more repressive e.g. Emergency law 1968
➕shift towards Ostpolitik
What happened during Brandt’s chancellorship?
➕continued Ostpolitik met resistance in the Bundestag, as he past liberal measures e.g. decriminalization of homosexuality
➕won a vote of no confidence and called an early general election where he won most seats
➕1974: found that one of his advisors was a spy and he felt compelled to resign
What happened during Schmidt’s chancellorship?
➕period of domestic and economic upheaval
➕facwed growing oppsotiuon due to right wing and weak economic measures
➕opposition from Green party
➕1982 vote of no confidence. forced to resign
What happened during Kohl’s chancellorship?
➕continued ostopolitik and econiomic policies
➕outbreak of terrorism
➕worked for unification of Germany
- 1989 East Germany relaxed its travel restrictions
