West Germany 1949-63

Question 1

The New constitution

Answer 1

Basic Law May 1949- was all the features of the new government
Human rights
head of state from 7 years to 5 and only be re-elected once
Reichstag became Bundestag - equal members (federal parliament)
and Bundesrat (federal council)
president’s role only ceremonial- chancellor had clear line authority and be elected by Bundestag
Pluralism of parties and had get majority vote as well as 5% hurdle
Supreme Court- Communist party banned 1956 and League of German Youth 1953

Question 2

Konrad Adenauer

Answer 2

elected chancellor from first Bundestag election
15th September 1949- led to Heuss leader of FDP and became first president of BRD

Question 3

Adenauer and the CDU 1949-63

Answer 3

faced problems of economic- unemployment rose to 2 million 1949-50
social- needed build houses and accommodate refugees from eastern Germany
political- still under control of ‘Occupation Statute’- bot have sovereignty

Question 4

Adenauer’s aims

Answer 4

Western integration- gain trust to revise restrictions but become reliable ally and strong economic partner
The German question- wanted reunification of BRD and DDR
Economic policy- wanted economic stability- spurred by the Korean War 195-3 and spurred by Erhard’s social market policy
Social aspects- recognised the need for CDU/CSU

Question 5

limitations of SPD in terms of reunification

Answer 5

hostile to Adenauer’s policy with west
economic recovery led to fall in unemployment and with pay rises showed divide
open confrontation of the Cold War and specific crisis over the Berlin Blockade- fear of communism and mistrust
SPD opposed German rearmament and Adenauer’s western integration

Question 6

Social market economy

Answer 6

by minister of trade and industry Ludwig Erhard
opened markrt for industrial and consumer goods and stimulated their production
aim was to combine political and economic freedom with social justice and security

Question 7

German economy 1498-66

Answer 7

1949-50 years of foundation crisis- faced recession not enough demand to sustain growth and lack of reign currency for investment
unemployment high at 13.5% and prises rising- Erhard under a lot of pressure

Question 8

successes of economic recovery

Answer 8

1950-55 GNP doubled and production of industry- bicycles and cars- VW
balance of trade turned positive from rapid growth of exports- 1954 BRD third biggest trading power behind Britain and USA
economic expansion reflected decline in unemployment and rise in jobs- 1 million 1955- full employment

Question 9

‘economic miracle’

Answer 9

long term: access to extensive resources such as coal and iron from Ruhr and high skilled population
medium term: Marshall Plan

World Trade- creation of OEEC helped open European markets and reintegration of German trade
influx of refugees from DDR- skilled
1952 signed an agreement in London pay debts from Marshall plan and Dawes Plan- not have Pau reparations
could form army 1955

Question 10

social policies from West Society

Answer 10

131 Law 1951 restored right for employment and pension rights of cvil servants
Unemployment benefit
sickness insurance improve by 1957 law- increased sick pay
1949-61 6 million new flats built
Article 3 of 1949 Basic Law gave women equal rights to vote - but women’s working wage 40% less than a mans

Question 11

weaknesses of west Germany society

Answer 11

1955 only 11% owned a fridge
average hours a week 49
BUT
1962
63% owned a fridge
38% onwned a car

Question 12

Adenauer’s foreign policy aims

Answer 12

a united west Europe and led and protected by superpower USA
disliked communists

Question 13

how was BRD economically integrated into Western Europe by 1963- issues

Answer 13

Occupying Statute of April 1949 gave occupying powers to supervise country’s trade
International Ruhr Authority- right to France, Belgium control area’s resources
status of Saar- puppet state controlled by France

Question 14

The Petersburg Agreement

Answer 14

November 1949
allowed BRD to join the International Ruhr Authority
gave right establish diplomatic relationships with other states
BRD was allowed join European Council in 1960 - led to signing of European Economic Community
Organisation for European Economic co-operation

Question 15

military and economic political integration into Europe by Adenauer

Answer 15

European Defence Community in defence and protection of Korean War May 1952 made by French prime minister Pleven- Adenauer willingly joined-
Paris Treaties October 1954 settle all political and economic disputes from France and Germany
May 1955 became fully sovereign state but Western powers kept power over West Berlin
NATO became full member 1955
Saar returned to West Germany 1957

Question 16

Relations with DDR and USSR

Answer 16

3 million refugees fled in 1950s
the Stalin Notes March 1952- negotiated settlement to German reunification question- favour of soviets such as removal all foreign troops and had stay neutral - weak and vulnerable to communist prey
ultimately rejected
Hallstein Doctrine- Adenauer’s refusal to have diplomatic relations with any state that officially recognised DDR May 1955

Question 17

The presidency fiasco

Answer 17

contributed to Adenauer’s fall from power
Springg 1959
Heuss had to retire and Adenuar was running for president
but withdrew as recognised not have enough influence or power over stance on DDR and USSR and did not want Erhard be chancellor
lost public sympathy as damage image

Question 18

TV dispute

Answer 18

contributed to Adenauer’s fall
his national Tv company controlled by federal government but SPD claimed threat to freedom and meant censorship
February 1961 declared unconstitutional and dissolved

Question 19

The 1961 election and new coalition

Answer 19

contributed to Adenauer’s fall
implementation of Berlin Wall during election campaign Adenauer failed to visit unlike Brandt and only won 45.3 % of votes- coalition with FDP terms that Adenauer have retire before end of 4 year period

Question 20

Der Spiegel Affair

Answer 20

contributed to Adenauer’s fall
was left wing political magazine and released NATO information and criticised Strauss- and surrounded arguments of trying limit freedom of press- Adenauer had to sack Strauss and himself had to retire - showed inability and lack of political judgement

Question 21

foreign relations

Answer 21

contributed to Adenauer’s fall
attitudes to Eastern bloc
non-recognition of DDR and Hallstein doctrine and Strauss’ leadership as defence minister

Question 22

when did Adenauer resign

Answer 22

15th October 1963
SPD during his leadership failed to achieve success until 1960s
first years more successful