West Germany: The de- Nazification policies of the Allies (1945 - 1949)

Question 1

Describe the “year zero” policy adopted by many Germans and right-wing politicians

Answer 1

The policy of “year zero” believed that the aim of West Germany should be to move forward from the legacy of the Nazi.

Question 2

Who was the first Chancellor of the Federal republic of Germany?

Answer 2

Konrad Adenauer

Question 3

Identify 3 ways the allies tried to de-Nazify Germany after WW2

Answer 3

• By late 1946, nearly 250,000 ex Nazis were arrested and help in prison
• Approximately 1600 ex- Nazi scientists and doctors avoided prosecution by agreeing to work for the USA
• By 1947, more than 85% of school teachers in Bavaria who had lost their jobs through de-Nazification were back at work

Question 4

Identify 3 pieces of evidence that suggest that Germans were not in favour of de-Nazification

Answer 4

• Allies in Western zones set out to re-educate the German youth and in May 1946 Nazi school book/films were banned
• Allies forced Germans to visit concentration camps - reality of what happened under Nazi rule
• Allies founded all ex-Nazis from all leading positions of power.

Question 5

Identify 3 reasons that explain why the de-Nazification process in Germany was limited

Answer 5

• Loop holes - hardline Nazis escaped justice
• Unfeasable to prosecute all Nazis
• “year zero” approach