Post War Germany (West) Flashcards
West Germany
When did the West license formation of democratic parties? What were they for?
1945 To control the development of the zones
What parties were re-established by the end of 1945?
SPD CDU LDPD KPD
How was the SPD re built?
Rebuilt the old structure before 1933. They were shaped by their history- improving working class conditions in context of parliamentary democracy- transferring key natural resources and industries to the state
Who was the leader of the SPD?
Dr Kurt Schumacher was the first party leader.
What was the Christian Democrats Party (CDU)?
Unified Christian Conservative Party, which roots were from the ZP. Appealed for the conservative middle class. Built of Christian Socialist ideas and Christian trade movement.
What happened to the CDU party in 1947 (what did it do)?
Adopted radical social policies like the Nien programme, demanding public ownership of industries and greater influence for workers union in political decision
Who were the Free Democrat Party (FDP)? When were they formed?
1945 Held for the right of private property and upheld advantages of a free market.
Who was the first president of the West?
Theodor Heuss
How strong were the KPD in the West?
It had limited chance of gaining political power.`
Who were the party leaders of the KPD?
Walter Ulbricht Wilhem Pieck
Who was the party leader of the CDU?
Konrad Adenaur
What was the party leader of the LDPD?
Theodor Heuss
What was the Truman Docterine ?
Containment to ‘ease’ the suffering of other countries. Soviets were purging anti-soviet leaders so American made $7 billion available over four years
What was the Marshall Aid?
Assessed economic state of post war Europe. It was discovered Europe owed $11.5 billion to the US, causing a shortage of housing, food, supplies. This was seen as a breeding ground for communism, so $17 billion was spent of Europe prosperity
When did the Berlin Blockade end?
12/5/1949
What did the west do immediately after the blockade?
Immediately created the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) which became an advert for capitalism
How much was spent on Marshall Aid to the FRG in 1951?
$1.5 billion
When wast NATO set up and why?
1949 To protect members of the state against the USSR
What happened in the Berlin airlift?
275,000 planes delivered 2 million tons of supplies from the USSR. They landed every 3 minutes for 10 months
How was the Berlin blockade a self fulfilling prophesy for the big 3 leaders?
Yalta and Potsdam saw no solution to the ‘german problem’ and had ideological differences in the economy and policies Zonal disagreements over cost of the occupation, so military government acted on their own interests
How did the Truman Doctrine and US government contribute to the Berlin Blockade?
US perception of Soviet Policies were hostile in 1946-7. Containment aid to the FRG and US troops were in defence of West Germany from Soviet expansion
When was the FRG created?
23/5/1949
What was the capital of FRG and who were the chancellor and president?
Capital= Bohn Chancellor= Konrad Adenaur (1949-63) President= Theodor Heuss (1949-59)
When and how was the Bonn Republic created?
The new constitution created at the Six Power Conference, London in 1948
What were the main factors of the Bonn Republic?
To remain under strict control of the West as an occupational state German state to be sovereign in 1955 Parliament council of 65 delegates from Lander- not by elected constituent assembly like Weimar Federal system each state had local responsibility
When did Germany become a Sovereign state?
1955 (taking 10 years to be trusted again)
What were the foundations of the Basic law?
Built on Weimar Constitutional framework Federal parliamentary democratic and republican Not a constitution or permanent- being cautiously flexible Federal structure, effective democracy and a constitutional
When was the Basic Law approved?
Approved in May 1949
What was successful about the Basic Law?
Politics and socio-economics were at best in the 50s. Growth overcame diplomatic isolations Found allies
How did the Basic Law restrict what had happened under the Weimar Republic?
5% rule Banned extremists
What were the rights of the Basic Law and FRG?
Emphasis on civil human rights standing above constitutional law. Rights built of constitutional frame was to be suspended/ abolished by 2/3 majority in parliament
Weimar vs Basic Law: difference in rights?
Weimar made it possible to suspend by constitutional legislation Basic Laws rights stood above the constitution
Weimar vs Basic Law: difference in the Head of State?
Weimar had article 48, being able to dissolve the Reichstag and dismiss the government. Could pass emergency decrees without parliament FRG had Bundespäsident= limited power during emergency, ceremonial functions were limited. Only one re election possible in 5 years
Weimar vs Basic Law: difference in Parliament?
Weimar had Reichstag- simple vote of no confidence ended chancellors making it unstable. Also had a Reichstrat which was only able to delay bills passed in Reichstag FRG had Bungestag- approved chancellors and took part in election. Could take control through constructive vote of no confidence. Bundestat used for legislations and electing federal court
Weimar vs Basic Law: difference in Government?
Weimar had a national government. The chancellor and ministers are dependent on the President of the Reichstag and the chancellor was easily removed FRG had a federal government (Bundesregierung). Had strong position and the chancellor was solely responsible for Bundestag. Chancellor could only constructively be removed and would guarantee stability
Weimar vs Basic Law: difference in the Electoral System
Weimar had right of existence for political position. pure proportional representation system as small parties were in Reichstag. This had weak coalitions and no majority for enough power FRG Party pluralism was defined in constitution as essential to democracy. Plebiscites and referendum was not allowed. 5% hurdle in Bundestag elections
Who was the head of state chosen by?
Bundestag- Federal parliament (lower house of parliament)
What was the Bundestrat?
Federal council, upper house, lander government members
How had the standard of opposition changed in parliament?
Effective opposition had to come from the majority, not just from one vote. This offered a stable positive majority for a new alternative government
What did pluralism mean for the electoral system?
Democratic parties cannot be abolished, which was essential to the constitution and the function of democracy. Partys were only banned if they went against the constitution and were anti-democratic.
How was the voting system handled in elections?
Mixed members for proportional representation and each voter had 2 votes. Half of the seats went to the Bundestag (who held the majority vote) and the other half were nominated by party list (PR)
When was the 5% hurdle introduced?
1953
What were supreme and constitutional courts’ role?
To protect values and prevent any anti-democratic activities. Constitutional courts main task was to review judicial cases for this
How many parties did the constitutional court ban?
Socialist Reich Party 11 communist parties such as Free German Youth and Communist party which in 1953, only gained 2.2% (below the hurdle)
What is the significance of the Bizone merge for upholding tensions with Soviets?
Stopped paying reparations to the USSR
What was the successful significance of the Wests new Deutschmark?
Revalued wages, pensions, rents, property to the same level Collapse of the black market- protected industrialists, share owners and land owners.
What were the election results in Aug 1949?
CDU= 31% SPD=29% FDP=11.9% KPD= 5.7%
What were the election results in September 1953?
CDU= 45.2% SPD= 31.8% FDP= 9.5% KPD=2.2%
What were the election results in September 1957?
CDU= 50% SPD= 31.8% FDP=7.7%
What campaign did CDU show and how was it successful?
Campaign of ‘no experiments’ showed high stability and gained a majority of 50.2%. Campaign met interests
How was the 5% hurdle positive?
Removed the small extremist parties and big parties became more inclusive to gain votes from extreme ends of the spectrum.
What political standing was the Western German government by 1957 and what was public response?
Liberal conservative government Economy stabilised, balance in social security, impressed Germans and Wests restrictions were revised. Even opponents agreed with their decisions
How did the British Pathe describe Adenauers reforms?
‘Rescued Germany from being a heap of rubble to a powerful nation’
What is the significance of the 1949 election?
The high turn out meant that there was acceptance. However, the diverse results did not create a basis of an effective government.
What did Adenauer have to do after the 1949 election results?
He had to make coalitions with the FDP and smaller parties to avoid the SPD’s differences with economic and foreign policy
What majority did Adenauer have after the coalition in 1949
208/402 seats. This is an awkward stability. He was elected chancellor of a majority of just one vote.
What was the initial political instability for Adenauer?
Many had limited faith in the survival, making it harder to create a government alongside disagreements Initially was an occupational state and had no sovereignty. Allies had to approve everything so the political trade had a delicate power base
What initial weaknesses did the economy face?
Fledgling economy- suffering a recession, currency reform, unemployment at 2 million (13%) and prices were on the rise
What initial weaknesses did the German society face?
Urgent need to re build millions of homes from bombing to accommodate refugees and the expelled from the east.
What were Adenauer’s aims relating to Western integration?
Had to gain the West’s trusts from a place of mistrust and soviet fear. wanted to revise the restrictions of the occupational state and become a reliable ally and strong economic partner.
What were Adenauer’s aims in relating to the German question?
He needed to reassure that his aim was to reunite the FRG and the GDR. But as a west capitalist orientated state, he was determined to not make a concession with communism. Believed the only way to do this was to achieve a west partnership to attract east to join the west (‘magnet theory’)
How many eastern refugees left east to west before the Berlin Wall?
3 million
What were Adenauer’s economic policy ?
Economic stability ‘Social Market Policy’ - a free market but limited by social regulations from the state (originated from Erhard)
Who was the finance minister?
Ludwig Erhard
What was the significance of the Korean War for Germany in 1950-3?
Spurred Germany out of a recession and into a boom, described as a economic stimulus.
What were Adenauer’s social policies?
A degree of social unity to counter the threat of communism. More economic growth Needed social policy to overcome the hardship of the poor and refugees New social legislation of growing growth of living standards and industrial peace
What were the initial issues faced in Germany’s economy?
Erhard implementations didn’t launch an economic take off. Steep price rise didn’t match the rate of wage increase- causing hardship Shortage of resources that were required to rebuild industries. Caused a sharp increase in imports and balance of payment defector.
What economic crisis occurred in 1949-50?
‘Foundation crisis’ Where the economy faced a recession due to not enough demand to sustain growth and lack of foreign currency for investment
What percentage of the population were unemployed by 1950?
13.5%
How much dis petrol cost rise in the 1950s?
50%
Why was Erhard under pressure in 1950s?
Under pressure from many quarters by 1950 to change his economic policies and return to state control.
