The Political Nature of the FRG (1949-1963)

Question 1

What happened to relations between the FRG and GDR after 1949? Why?

Answer 1

Relations between the FRG and GDR quickly deteriorated after 1949. The cold war had begun and reunification looked unlikely.

• The FRG joined NATO on May 9, 1955 (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation – an anti-communist, military organisation)
• The Warsaw Pact ( a communist military alliance) created on May 14, 1955 with the GDR a member.

Question 2

When did the first election to the Bundestag take place?

Answer 2

August 14, 1949

Question 3

Who were the four main political parties that won seats in the first election to the Bundestag?

Answer 3

• The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) – 31% of votes
• The Free Democracy Party (FDP) – 11.9% of votes
• The Social Democratic Party (SPD) – 29.2% of votes
• The German Communist Party (KPD) (abolished in 1956) – 5.7% of votes

Question 4

Which party received the most votes in the first election to the Bundestag, and how many?

Answer 4

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) – 31% of votes

Question 5

What was the Hallstein Doctrine (1955)?

Answer 5

It stated that the FRG would not legally recognise the GDR as a separate, independent country with a lawful government. It also stated that the FRG would cut off diplomatic relations with any country connect to the GDR.

Question 6

Who was appointed the first Chancellor of the FRG?

Answer 6

Konrad Adenauer

Question 7

Who did Adenauer want to work closely with in the wider world, and why? Identify three reasons.

Answer 7

He worked closely with the West. He wanted economic support as well as protection from communist countries. He also wanted to gain the trust of the West so he could encourage them to change the terms of the Occupation Statute (This limited the sovereignty of the FRG).

Question 8

Why were there less political parties elected to the Bundestag, in comparison to the years of the Weimar Republic? Identify two reasons.

Answer 8

• Parties needed a minimum of 5% of votes to gain any seats.

- Some parties with similar ideologies merged to create a single political party.

Question 9

What did some critics name Adenauer’s leadership? Why?

Answer 9

A chancellor democracy. He had a lot of power. He controlled both domestic and foreign policy until 1955.

Question 10

Identify two political parties that were banned in the 1950s under Article 21 of the Basic Law.

Answer 10

• Socialist Reich Party in 1952

- KPD in 1956

Question 11

What did the CDU/CSU eventually win in 1957?

Answer 11

They won the majority vote. This allowed them to form a majority government.

Question 12

What was Article 131 of the Basic Law? Why was it introduced?

Answer 12

Introduced on May 11, 1951 it allowed ex-Nazis to work in civil service. It was introduced as all civil servants had been required to join the NSDAP in 1939. Adenauer said the only way to establish effective federal and regional governments was to employ ex-Nazis.

Question 13

Identify two pieces of evidence that suggest that Adenauer’s leadership was “undemocratic”.

Answer 13

• Adenauer supported the arrest of journalists whom had been critical of West German troops in an article published in ‘Der Spiegel’ in October 1962.
• Adenauer tried to set up a government controlled television station.

Question 14

Identify two pieces of evidence that suggest that there was political stability under the leadership of Adenauer.

Answer 14

• His forceful personality ensured coalitions worked together until the 1957 election when the CDU/CSU parties won a majority vote.
• Adenaeur’s policies (such as abolishing “undemocratic” political parties) were stabilising.