Social Stability

Question 1

post-WW2 problems - full family idea

Answer 1

• the CDU pushed the idea of a full family
• one of the greatest social projects of the FRG was the reconstruction of family
• tensions rose between the full family vision of the CDU and the actuality of ‘women standing alone’
• the woman standing alone was seen as problematic by the CDU

Question 2

post-WW2 problems - Refugees

Answer 2

• an influx of refugees came to west Germany following the end of the war
• Eastern Europeans came to the FRG seeking work
• some West German workers were displayed, but generally the presence of refugees was beneficial to the economy

Question 3

post-WW2 problems - Nazi aftermath

Answer 3

• the CDU government decided on exonerating the majority of Nazis
• this was done by blaming the Nazi Party as a whole, not individuals
• most civil servants were former Nazis

Question 4

Dealing with inequality

Answer 4

• the economic policies implemented by Adenauer led to a more affluent and wealthy society
• this also meant that it was an unequal society
• society was supported by the government through a welfare system
• pension and health schemes were particularly focussed on
• housing projects were introduced, with 4 million homes built by 1957
• wages rose by 400%
• consumer good became more accessible to workers

Question 5

Spiessburger

Answer 5

• a stereotype representing the FRG’s prosperity
• the Spiessburger benefitted from the economic boom and rise of consumerism, getting a new car and a house
• some turned to radical communism as a result of the rise in living standards

Question 6

Welfare state

Answer 6

• insurance system of the Weimar era was reintroduced and expanded as part of the welfare state
• accident and sickness insurance were put in place, advanced from the Weimar era, now offering more sick pay
• public assistance provided in desperate situations
• family welfare e.g. child allowances and child benefits were introduced in 1954
• welfare budget increased from DM16.8 million in 1950 to DM174.7 million in 1970

Question 7

Education policy

Answer 7

• the aim was to reshape the system, getting rid of any Nazism
• wanted to push the idea of Germany as a democracy
• the Western powers could not collectively agree on an education policy
• the US wanted their system to be implemented and UK wanted some guidelines
• however, the regional authorities were unwilling to accept suggestions from the allies
• there were a number of problems that arose due to the makeshift nature of the system
• there was a lack of school buildings, shortage of teaching materials and large classes
• the Weimar era schooling system was used but it had its limitations
• the lander could not agree on a standardised, national education policy

Question 8

Women in the FRG

Answer 8

• women were key to the survival and stability of west Germany, through their contribution in and after the war
• women outnumbered men, meaning their were able to take on roles which they had been previously denied
• a woman’s status on a legal level was advanced by in the 1950s
• Basic Law promised equal rights, and the Law of Equality of the Sexes 1957 gave wives the right to chose to go to work without getting their husband’s permission
• new household gadgets made the housework more manageable
• however, there were still some quite traditional, conservative views towards women in the 1950s and 60s, especially within the Catholic Church
• working women could not expect to get equal pay to men, with the average wage being 40% less than a mans
• family preservation was more focussed on than equality

Question 9

Living standards

Answer 9

• since unions were becoming more confident in demanding higher pay rise, there was a rise in living standards in the 1950s and 1960s
• the working week was reduced to 45hrs and 5 days, and by 1965 it was again reduced to 40hrs, with longer holidays

by 1962:

• 63% of households owned a fridge
• 42% of households owned a television
• 38% owned a car
• 36% owned a washing machine