Federal Republic - PGC Flashcards
(50 cards)
When did Germany sign the final surrender?
7th May 1945
Who took joint control of the German government?
USA, Britain, France and the USSR
What was Potsdam held to plan?
The reconstruction of Germany. It focused of disarming and demilitarising the country, decentralising and de-Nazifying it
What issues arose between the allies after Germany was defeated?
Their differences (specifically the communist USSR and the West) grew and the East and West became suspicious of each other
When did the KPD announce itself and what did they want?
11th June 1945 and they wanted German socialism with land reform, new education systems and a democratic government
When did the SPD announce itself and what did they want?
15th June 1945 after many of them had been in concentration camps. They wanted germans to have a greater say in government and wanted nationalisation of banks, land and key industries and a significant social welfare system
What happened to the Centre Party?
It tried unsuccessfully to re-establish itself
Which two significant church based groups were set up in 1945?
Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU)
What was the biggest liberal group?
Liberal Democratic party
What did political groups in the FRG learn from Weimar?
By having a number of parties with similar aims, voters spread their votes over different parties, reducing their power.
Faith-based and Liberal parties in western zones created single parties
In 1947 which party did liberal groups form and join?
Free Democracy Party (FDP)
In 1947 which party did political groups join?
The CDU (except the CSU which stayed separate)
Between 1945 and 1947 which countries became communist?
Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland
Why did the USA set up the Marshall Plan?
To stop countries that may become communist such as Greece and Turkey
What did the KDP and SPD do in April 1946?
They joined to form a single party, the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED)
How did the October 1946 elections turn out?
The communists won in the Soviet zone but did badly in all other zones
What did the Basic Law promise?
- Equal rights to German citizens
- Free speech, the freedom to form unions or other groups, free assembly and no censorship
- State education for all, although private schooling was allowed
Which clauses in the Basic Law suggested it could be used to be more repressive?
It was possible to ban political parties if they undermined the FRG or its democratic principles
Who was the first FRG chancellor?
Konrad Adenauer, leader of the CDU, as they won 31% of the vote
Who led the GDR after it was set up 7th October 1949?
SED
How long was Adenauer chancellor of West Germany for?
From 1949 until 1963
Who criticised Adenauer and why?
SPD and FDP, because they objected his authoritarian style and forceful management of the Bundestag, some called his leadership a Chancellor democracy suggesting he had more power than the Basic law allowed. They criticised his appointment of weak ministers (except Erhard)
What policy agenda did Adenauer set out in the Bundestag on the 20th September 1949?
Policies concentrating on domestic economy and foreign policy, uniting Germany and working for closer European integration.
Who was especially critical of Adenauers focus on the West?
The SPD, many pointed out that working for closer European integration worked against uniting Germany. They didnāt like him working with the West but for others this was the fastest way for the FRG to be self governing and accepted in order to rebuild the economy
