The role of Adenauer Flashcards
What was Adenauer criticised for?
Appointing weak ministers who he treated as political advisors rather than equals
What was his leadership regarded as?
‘Chancellor democracy’- suggesting he had more power than basic law allowed for
What was a consequence of Adenauer’s political moves (removing parties/ challenges)?
Although stabilising, it resulted in a three party house with shifting coalitions. Some saw this as a stability that went against the democratic spirit of basic law.
What was a benefit of Adenauers forceful management of the Bundestag?
He kept coalitions working together until 1957 when the CDU/CSU won a majority.
What did Adenauer pursue in his domestic and foreign policy?
He wanted to unite Germany and work for closer European integration although members of the SPD argued this would halt chances of re-unification.
When did Adenauer use article 21?
-1952 extreme right wing socialist reich party banned
-1956 the KPD was banned
What did critics in the SPD and FDP object to?
Adenauers forceful management of the Bundestag and his Atlanticist approach to foreign policy
How did Adenauer work to exclude left wing political opposition?
He changed voter allocations in 1953 and 1957 to make it increasingly difficult for small parties to gain representation in the Bundestag
What was the year-zero approach adopted by A?
He denounced de-nazification preferring to integrate ex Nazis into post-war Germany; he allowed too many ex-Nazis into his government in his haste to build a regional and federal civil service
How did A argue it was fair to employ ex-Nazis?
in 1939 all government workers had to join the Nazis or lose their jobs. Thus A argued that it was fair to employ ex nazis as the only way to establish an effective civil service
What did a Bundestag report reveal? When was it?
A Bundestag report revealed 4 ex-Nazi’s working in the foreign ministry, saying that this could damage the FRG’s reputation abroad. (1952)
Who did Adenauer refuse to sack?
His state secretary- Hans Globke, who had drafted anti-semitic laws
How was Adenauer’s indifference to Germany re-unification elucidated in 1961?
He didn’t speak out about the building of the Berlin Wall, he was criticised for this BUT, ultimately the wall eased tensions
Describe the state of the FRG in 1961
1961- A stable prosperous state at the heart of Europe
What was the effect of the Hallstein doctrine on Adenauer’s coalition?
in 1956, the FDP broke away from Adenauers coalition and supported the SPD
What did Adenauer and his economics minister, Erhard, pursue?
A social market economy- this helped to create social harmony and strong economic growth leading to stability
What was the response to Adenauers proposition of a state controlled TV station in 1961?
The federal constitutional court ruled it unconstitutional, showing a lack of support for Adenauer’s decisions (too much executive interference)
What happened in October 1962?
Adenauer supported the arrests of journalists from Der Spiegel magazine for their criticism of FRG troops in a recent NATO exercise.
What was the aftermath of the Der Spiegel incident?
FDP minister resigned in protest over the arrest of the journalists and Adenauer only managed to get an SPD coalition by promising to resign in 1963
What action supporting Jews did Adenauer pursue that was met by opposition within the CDU?
He supported a claims conference for Jewish victims of Nazism and a payment of 3 billion DM to Israel
When was the FRG’s membership of NATO realised?
1955
How did Adenauer attain a degree of unity with France?
through the creation of the European coal and steel community
When did the FRG sign the treaty of Rome? What did this mean?
1957
Germany was established as a founding member of the EEC (European Economic Community)
How many terms did Adenauer have in office?
3 - the last once saw problems emerging
Who did Adenauer’s policies appeal to?
The moderates/middle ground of politics
Describe Adenauers role in 1949
He was instrumental in drawing up the basic law
How many new homes did Adenauer build for Germans?
4 million
What was the policy Adenauer supported that allowed workers to participate in the decision-making process in the workplace?
Co-determination policy
Was Adenauers co-determination policy successful?
Yes- this reduced tensions between workers and employers, leading to fewer strikes, and allowed the government to focus on building the economy
When did Adenauer take control of Foreign policy?
1951 (When the ACC allowed him to)
When did the FRG join the OEEC?
1948 - provided the FRG with substantial economic and technical assistance to recover from the destruction of the war
When did the FRG join the council of Europe?
1950- this drastically raised the international status of the FRG
How much did the CDU vote fall?
1957 to 1961
50% to 46%
What party was becoming a viable alternative to the CDU in the late 1950’s?
The SPD, it was modernising and had an emphasis on German reunification
What was added to the basic law in 1951?
Article 131, allowing ex-Nazi’s to work in the civil service
