Grand Coalition, Brandt and Schmidt Flashcards
what was Kiesenger’s foreign policy?
he was the first Chancellor to adopt Ostpolitik which saw greater cooperation with East Germany
why did Kiesenger adopt Ostpolitik?
by rejecting the Hallstein Doctrine and working with the GDR he hoped it would win government support
when did the Grand Coalition collapse?
1969
who was the new Chancellor?
Willy Brandt of the SPD
who did Brandt form an alliance with in 1969?
the FPD (the liberals)
why was Brandt criticised by the right-wing in Germany?
he had not served in WW2 as he fled to Norway
how long did Ostpolitik last?
till 1989
what liberal policies did Brandt’s government introduce and what was the reaction of the Bundestag?
- decriminalisation of homosexuality
- reducing voting age to 18
- legalisation of abortion
met with a lot of opposition
who was the main opposition to Brandt’s coalition?
the CDU
why did many SPD and FDP members defect to the CDU in 1970?
they did not like Ostpolitik and did not want to get on with the communists as well as being unhappy with liberal reforms
by how many votes did the vote of no confidence in Brandt fail by?
2 votes
what was Brandt’s response to winning the vote of no confidence?
he called an election in November 1972
what was the result of the 1972 election?
the SPD won the most seats in its highest turnout ever
reasserted SPD dominance in Germany
why did Brandt resign in 1974?
it was found that a GDR spy was one of Brandt’s advisors
Brandt felt compelled to resign despite his enormous support in the party
when did Brandt resign?
May 1974
