The Fall of Adenauer

Question 1

What happened in spring 1959?

Answer 1

Heuss retired from the presidency.

Question 2

What was the result of Heuss retiring?

Answer 2

• Adenauer was encouraged to put his name forward as president

Question 3

Why did Adenauer withdraw from running for President?

Answer 3

• Realised he wouldn’t get a say in policy making

- Wanted to prevent Erhard becoming Chancellor

Question 4

What was the result of Adenauer withdrawing from the presidency?

Answer 4

• He loses credibility because he is seen to be damaging the role for his own gains
• Many want him out of the Chancellorship

Question 5

When did the TV Dispute occur?

Answer 5

1958-61

Question 6

What was the TV Dispute?

Answer 6

• Adenauer sets up a TV company controlled by the federal government.

Question 7

How did people react to the setting up of the TV company?

Answer 7

• SDP believed that it threatened the government and the freedom of media
• Adenauer’s opponents used this as an opportunity to attack Adenauer’s style of government for being too controlling.

Question 8

What did the polls of the 1961 election imply?

Answer 8

That Adenauer was still favoured over Will Brandt (leader of SPD) because he was more experienced.

Question 9

Why did support for Adenauer decrease during the 1961 election?

Answer 9

• GDR erected Berlin Wall during election campaign
• This was ignored by Adenauer and he did not defend West Berliners
• Willy Brandt was mayor of West Berlin so he defended them

Question 10

What happened at the end of the 1961 election?

Answer 10

• CDU win the election by 45% of the votes so must form coalition with FDP (free democratic party)
• The coalition was agreed on the condition that Adenauer stepped down within four years.

Question 11

When did the Der Spiegel Affair occur?

Answer 11

1962.

Question 12

What were the events of the Spiegel Affair?

Answer 12

• Der Spiegel published an article criticising Strauss’ foreign policy and an article about NATO military plans if GDR were to attack FRG.
• The writers and editors were arrested and charged with corruption and treason
• It was thrown out of court as it was heavy handed and an attempt to censor the press
• Adenauer defends Strauss and attacks Spiegel

Question 13

What was the Der Spiegel?

Answer 13

A left wing newspaper

Question 14

What was the result of the Spiegel Affair.

Answer 14

• Triggered a government crisis where 5 FDP leave the cabinet
• Strauss is sacked to save the coalition

Question 15

When did Adenauer resign?

Answer 15

April 1963 at the age of 87

Question 16

What were the main reasons for Adenauer’s resignation?

Answer 16

1. TV Dispute
2. Election of 1961
3. Der Spiegel Affair
4. Loss of votes in the Lander election
5. Members of the CDU calling for coalition with the SDP

Question 17

What happened after Adenauer resigned?

Answer 17

Adenauer kept his seat at Parliament and his leadership of the CDU.