To what extent did the SPD play a significant role in West Germany in the years 1949-60? Flashcards
What did Schumacher oppose within Europe?
further integration under NATO
Why did Schumacher reject the idea of West European economic integration?
enforce a free market capitalist economy across its member states
What did he denounce Adenauer as because of his willingness to work with the Allies?
A puppet of the USA
Which headline plan of Adenauer did Schumacher fight against?
FRG military
When did Schumacher die?
20th August 1952
Who was Schumacher’s opponent?
Enrich Olllenhauer
Was Enrich Ollenhauer stronger or weaker than was Schumacher?
Weaker
What was the implication of Enrich Ollenhauer’s weakness compared to Schumacher?
The SPD’s vote stayed the same in the 1953 election whilst the CDU’s went up
What did the defeat of Enrich Ollenhauer in 1953 lead to?
A revitalisation of the SPD
Who was Ollenhauer’s successor?
Willy Brandt
What had Brandt previously been?
Mayor of Berlin
What did Brandt do?
Push the SPD in a more modern direction, accepting the realities of the FRG
What took the SPD away from its Marxist roots and fully endorsed the capitalist market economy?
Bad Godesberg Programme
When was the Bad Godesberg Programme?
1959
When did the SPD defeat the CDU?
1969
When did the SPD and the CDU enter into a coalition?
1966
What did the SPD now support thanks to the Bad Godesberg programme?
The party now supported the FRG’s integration with Western Europe and membership of NATO, moving away from its anti-Catholic rhetoric.
What did they commit themselves to being under the Bad Godesberg programme?
“The party for the whole people”
What did they say that they would be prepared to do under the Bad Godesberg programme?
Form a coalition with the CDU
Who backed the reformed SPD under Brandt?
USA under Kennedy
Brandt in 1969 was the first SPD chancellor of Germany since when?
1928
What was beneficial about the rivalry between Adenauer and Schumacher?
helped to confirm Germany’s ability to enjoy constructive political debate without resorting to the fractious, destabilising model of Weimar
Despite their differences, how were the two parties united?
mutual respect for democratic policies and the rejection of extremist parties
