Booklet 5, Reunification : Recreating a Unified Germany Flashcards

Question

(Reactions to Kohl's Ten Point Plan) - Kohl's proposal was rather sudden for the __________ who were concerned about a reunified Germany's membership of _________ (...) - ____________ newspapers wailed at the prospect of a powerful, enlarged Germany at the centre of Europe and the __________ press talked of a third... - The President of the European ________________ even suggested the _______ could become a member of the _____ as a second... - In the GDR, Prime Minister ______________ continued to talk of preserving the GDR as a...

Answer 1

- Kohl's proposal was rather sudden for the USSR who were concerned about a reunified Germany's membership of NATO (given that it was close to the Soviet border). - British newspapers wailed at the prospect of a powerful, enlarged Germany at the centre of Europe and the French press talked of a third Reich. - The President of the European Commission, even suggested the GDR could become a member of the EU as a second German state (and thus avoiding reunification). - In the GDR, Prime Minister Modrow continued to talk of preserving the GDR as a separate state, even with the huge numbers of people calling for reunification and leaving for the FRG.

Answer 2

- On 11th December 1989, mass demonstrations of 300,000 people took place in Leipzig with protestors carrying German flags and calling for reunification. - Kohl visited Dresden (in the East) on 19th December, he received a huge welcome with 100,000 people gathering to hear him talk. - From January-February 1990, high level discussions began on how to pursue the complex financial union between the FRG and GDR. - Kohl believed the first stages would take 2 years but it took place at a pace no one envisaged. - Germany was reunified at midnight on 2nd-3rd October 1990.

Answer 3

- GDR's economy had failed to develop in a sustainable fashion and was facing significant difficulties by the 1980s. - The main industrial lands in Germany were in the Ruhr and Saarland (both in the FRG) which meant the GDR was mainly agricultural and therefore less money was to be made. - GDR had suffered from Soviet reparations imposed on it. - It had a declining population. - The GDR was committed to giving its citizens a generous welfare state which was becoming increasingly unaffordable.

Answer 4

- GDR had the most successful economy in Eastern Europe and the highest standard of living in any communist country. - Under leadership of Honecker, who had wanted to placate the citizens, consumer goods became more widely available such as fridges and televisions. - The GDR was the most advanced developer, in Eastern Europe, of microelectronics and computer technology.

Answer 5

- In 1983 and 1984, the GDR had to arrange huge loans from the FRG to prop up its economy. - Honecker's focus on maintaining the welfare state led to spiralling debt. - By 1989, the life expectancy of a GDR citizen was 2 & 1/2 years lower for men and 7 years lower for women compared to the FRG. - The GDR spent DDM1billion trying to create the world's largest microchip (lol), but it failed, highlights poor leadership, they could have spent this money on paying back debt). - Money spent on Welfare Bill in 1989 it was DDM1BW, increased from 1980. - The differences between FRG & GDR were obvious in television shows and in the contact between citizens since WG's could cross the border more frequently to visit family.

Answer 6

- Money spent on Welfare Bill in 1989 in 1989 it was DDM1BW, increased from 1980. - The differences between FRG & GDR were obvious in television shows and in the contact between citizens since WG's could cross the border more frequently to visit family. - The policies of Gorbachev (USSR) from 1985 put Honecker (GDR) under pressure to match his economic reforms in the GDR but this didn't happen. - In October 1989, an SED report said that exports needed to increase by only DDM9 million in order to stabilise the country's debt. This would require investment the country didn't have. - Shows just how tiny the economy is, this is not much money to get a country out of debt, yet they can't even afford to pay it, USSR couldn't help either, could have spent the money making microchip on this, POOR LEADERSHIP!!!

Answer 7

- Modrow became leader of the GDR on 3rd December 1989, following resignation of Krenz. - In his maiden speech, he promised a more open era for the GDR with economic & environmental problems being tackled immediately and a new relationship with Western Europe (in an attempt to stop the flood of people leaving the GDR for the West). - Her asserted that the GDR was essential to the stability of Europe. - West German consumer goods and currency were flooding into the GDR leading to further economic chaos (LINK, economy & poor leadership & control).

Answer 8

- Modrow also tried to replace the hated GDR secret police, the Stasi, with a watered-down security force, however, popular protest forced him to back down. - This was further illustrated on 15th January 1990 when the Stasi HQ in Berlin were stormed by protestors, this sign of strength against the regime showed that citizens of the GDR were no longer scared of the regime and one of the pillars that had held up the communists had been removed!!! - In a desperate attempt to save the GDR, Morrow announced elections for the 18th March 1990 (unique, not usually elections in the East).

Answer 9

- West German politicians played a key role during the election campaign by openly supporting East German candidates who were in the same party as them, implying closer unity between Eastern and Western parties. - The FRG's SPD leader, Lafontaine, encouraged GDR citizens to vote for the SPD in order to slow down the unification process so it could be carried out in a more organised fashion. - There were fears that the current pace of reunification could damage West Germany's economy. - Kohl, in contrast, promoted CDU-led coalition called 'Alliance for Germany' and stated that the future of the GDR lay in reunification with the FRG.

Answer 10

- The results of the elections in 1990 saw a massive victory for the 'Alliance for Germany' coalition, with them winning 192 of 400 seats. - The SED, now renamed the PDS, only won 66 seats and the SPD won 88 seats (maybe won less than CDU because SPD's political beliefs are too 'close' to SED). - The GDR's CDU leader, Lothar de Maizière (good friends with Kohl) formed a coalition government with the SPD and the League of Free Democrats. - The success of the CDU clearly showed the desperation amongst GDR citizens to reunify with the FRG. - Any calls for the continuation of the GDR or a slowing down of the reunification process had been clearly quashed.

Answer 11

- Using the mandate from the election in the GDR, Kohl in the FRG pushed forward with economic integration. - Within 2 weeks of Maiziére taking office in the GDR, he and Kohl set a date for the monetary, economic and social union of the FRG & GDR. - East Germans were allowed to convert DDM4000 into West German marks (DM) at an exchange rate of 1:1, a rate much better than the actual value of the GDR'd currency. - The real currency conversion should have been 1:4 but Kohl wanted to ensure that GDR citizens could cope with the transfer to the West German economy.

Answer 12

- This action (exchange rate) caused a complete meltdown of the GDR economy and unemployment rose and there was a sharp decline in living standards. - Even though the currency conversion was generous for the GDR citizens, they were not used to paying FRG prices for goods and this was exacerbated by the fact that the welfare state had been incredibly generous in the GDR and they were not used to paying for things such as healthcare, education and some consumer goods. - Moreover, there was a rush to buy FRG consumer goods which meant the market for GDR goods dried up causing further economic ruin in the East.

Answer 13

- Events outside the GDR then took over as Kohl negotiated with the former allied powers (4 powers) about how best to reunify Germany and the leadership of the GDR was largely side-lined. - Due to the economic collapse of the GDR, the date for reunification had to be brought forward, much to the chagrin of the 4 powers who were nervous about a reunited Germany appearing in Europe once again. - On midnight between 2nd & 3rd October 1990, the GDR ceased to exist and Germany was reunified. Kohl leader of unified Germany.

Answer 14

- Differing levels of prosperity (economics). - Migration from the GDR. - Actions of the SED in the GDR. - Leadership of Khol in the FRG.

Answer 15

- USSR will likely be opposed to this, want some sort of reparations. - Countries will likely fear a unified Germany as it will be powerful and has done bad things in past. - Other communist countries may fear a domino effect (all turning to capitalism). - People may expect the USA to help economically. - UK & French may fear Germany becoming powerful economy in Europe.

Answer 16

- Kohl's Ten Point Plan was a shock to the 4 occupying powers because he had announced the plan to the Bundestag without consulting them. - The main issue of disagreement was the USA's insistence that a newly unified Germany be a member of NATO, (before reunification, West Germany had been a member since 1955 and East Germany was in the Warsaw Pact). - USA wanted to maintain some influence over Western Europe by keeping Germany as a member and they also believed their membership would reduce any thoughts of expansionist policies by future German governments in Europe, e.g. Kohl said he didn't recognise the Polish border which worried them. - Becoming a member of NATO would require an agreement by the USSR, and this, given that NATO was effectively an anti-communist alliance, would be tricky to achieve.

Answer 17

- Kohl's Ten Point Plan angered France & Britain who had major concerns about a unified and powerful Germany in the centre of Europe once again. - They feared that Germany would seek to dominate Europe economically and therefore upset the status quo which had ensued relative peace since 1945. - Both Thatcher & Mitterrand were against unification and Kohl didn't help matters at a meeting in December in 1989 when he didn't commit to maintaining Germany's eastern borders. The spectre of Nazi foreign policy reared its head once again.

Answer 18

- Britain & France both felt that the GDR could be propped up with Western assistance which shows the strength go their feelings on the matter, encouraging the saving of a communist state. - Leaders of Holland, Poland and Italy also spoke out against the reunification and the speed at which it was happening.

Answer 19

- On 11th December 1989, the 4 powers met, for the first time since the 1940s, at the Allied Control Council. - The West Germans were unhappy about this because they weren't invited and felt that the 4 Powers would discuss the future of G without consulting them, gave unpleasant reminders of the diktat that was the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. - At meeting, USA declared it wouldn't agree to unified Germany unless it was a member of NATO, it was believed this would be impossible to achieve since USSR would need to agree. - Gorbachev (USSR) believed that a reformed SED might be able to save the GDR as an independent state despite the fall of Berlin Wall, the collapse of EG's economy and angry WG who were moving quickly towards reunification.

Answer 20

- Kohl agreed to the USA's demands about joining NATO and he didn't see this as a threat to reunification (perhaps as intended) but a challenge. - Kohl's bargaining chip was the failing GDR since it was crumbling whilst talks were taking place about reunification. - Kohl argued that if the GDR was allowed to collapse it would cause chaos in Europe with a refugee crisis and instability which could lead to conflict (DRIVING THE PACE, LEADERSHIP). - The USA (Bush) was becoming more favourable towards reunification since it was worried that WG might leave NATO if her demands weren't met and this would reduce the USA's influence in the region. - They were also concerned about the collapse of the GDR on the border of the Iron Curtain (divided capitalists & communists). - Also, the SPD leader, Lafontaine had been critical of NATO and, should Kohl's plan of reunification fail, Lafontaine could win the election and then pull WG out of NATO anyway.

Answer 21

- Whilst Thatcher and Mitterrand were unhappy about a reunified G, they were also aware that a collapsing GDR would cause even more problems in Europe. - Gorbachev (ACCEPTANCE) realised that only a massive loan could stop the GDR from collapsing and prop it up, nit he was unwilling to do this given the USSR's own fragile economic situation. - (GORBACHEV'S ACCEPTANCE) In February 1990, Gorbachev informed Kohl that it would be up to the German people to decide about reunification and that the USSR wouldn't get involved. - This was the CRITICAL breakthrough which enabled the talks to take place at what became known as the 'Two plus Four negotiations'.

Answer 22

- Took place from March 1990 with a key focus on Germany's joining NATO and the size of her military. - The talks began to drag on and there was a belief by the Germans that the USSR was trying to stall the process of reunification. - USSR's hand was forced following the elections in East Germany (18th March) in which the Alliance for Germany group, (USSR also struggling lots financially). - Under Article 23 of the FRG's constitution, reunification could take place if the GDR accepted it under the terms and laws of the FRG; the GDR requested unification.

Answer 23

- Economic unification took place in July 1990 meaning that the USSR could no longer stall negotiations. - Gorbachev was so concerned about the USSR's economy he requested loans form the USA and Britain but both were rejected, he then turned to West Germany for financial help. - In May 1990 Gorbachev told the USA that he would accept a reunified Germany as a member of NATO. - Gorbachev then met with Kohl to discuss the withdrawal of Soviet troops (1.5million) from the GDR and the eastern borders of the country.

Answer 24

- West Germany agreed the loan with the USSR and reunification was almost a reality. - There was a disagreement between Britain and the USSR concerning Western military activities in a unified Germany, but this was overcome and on the 12th September 1990, representatives of the 4 powers, the FRG and the GDR signed the 'Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany'. - Reunification occurred at midnight between 2nd-3rd October 1990.

Answer 25

- Gorbachev's acceptance : (Allowing the wall to fall, his acceptance, economy) - Other reasons for reunification (migration crisis, collapse of GDR). - Other examples of inevitability (fall of Berlin Wall, domestic political support, Currency union treaty). - Evidence that unification wasn't inevitable (Role of foreign powers, domestic political opposition e.g. Morrow announcing elections) and offering reform). So poor was the USSR's situation that by 1989, their ability to give resistance to the passage of unity was almost negligible.