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History AS > FRG > Flashcards

FRG Flashcards

0
Q

Negative effects of economic growth in FRG?

A
  • increased gap between rich and poor, masked by an increase in wages
  • creation of an underclass/gasterbeiter (made up of souther European immigrants who made up 10% of workforce by 1966)
  • tendency to forget the past
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1
Q

What were the positive effects of economic growth in the FRG?

A 
400% increase in wages
Increased number of consumer luxuries
Improvements in international relationships 
Integration of refugees 
Increased democratisation
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2
Q

What was Stalin’s reunification proposal to the FRG?

A

The proposal to create a neutral, unified Germany that would be entirely democratic, would have no reparations and be allowed a small army

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3
Q

Why did Stalin make the reunification proposal to the FRG?

A

He feared that if the FRG joined NATO it would further hamper the expansion of communism as the FRG were a successful economy

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4
Q

Why did the FRG reject Stalin’s reunification proposal?

A
  • they didn’t believe Stalin would keep to his promise of a democratic, neutral state
  • they feared the international response to the FRG dealing with the East
  • they feared the SPD would take over Germany dominated by Protestants
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5
Q

How and why was NATO formed?

A
  • The Brussels’ Pact of 1948 created the European Defence Organisation that began by fighting the resurgence of Germany but then began fighting communism
  • The USA wanted to get involved but feared risking their armed forces whilst having little influence in a European organisation
  • Thus, in 1949, NATO was formed and the EDO was absorbed into it
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6
Q

How did the FRG end up joining NATO?

A
  • They wanted to join but the French did not and created an alternative, the European Defence Community (they didnt trust the FRG and feared excessive American influence)
  • The FRG agreed to a treaty in 1952 but the EDC never came into effect
  • the FRG eventually joined NATO in 1955 on the French premise of a limited army and no nuclear threat
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7
Q

How, why and when did the FRG join the ‘coal and steel community’

A
  • joined following the 1951 ‘Treaty of Paris’
  • allowed the FRG to exploit new and emerging markets
  • acted as a peace treaty between the FRG and France
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8
Q

When did West Germany join the International Monetary Fund?

A

1952

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9
Q

When did the FRG join the European Economic Community

A

1957, following the ‘Treaty of Rome’

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10
Q

How did the FRG joining the EEC show a change in foreign policy?

A

Before, the FRG promoted US involvement in Europe but siding with the Gaullist French in the EEC excluded America

Went on to vetoe British acceptance to the EEC

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11
Q

How did the CDU/CSU last so long in power?

A
  • removal of political extremes
  • broadening of CDU/CSU’s appeal
  • 5% law
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12
Q

How did the CDU/CSU remove extremist parties?

A

As part of the new constitution/ basic law (1949), Germany could ban anti-democratic parties

  • thus, in 1952, the SRP was banned and in 1956, the KPD was banned
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13
Q

How did the CDU/CSU remove small minority parties?

A

As part of 1949 basic law, parties had to achieve at least 5% of the vote to be represented

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14
Q

How did the removal of small minority parties and the political extremes help the stability of CDU control?

A

Left only 3 parties remaining so strong and stable coalitions could be formed and no indecision due to minor parties

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15
Q

How did the CDU/CSU broaden their appeal?

A
  • Made the party Christian rather than Catholic to appeal to Protestant minority as well as Catholics (also to avoid division in Germany)
  • wide range of political policies helped to attract former nazi members
  • strong appeal towards refugees left the BHE with less than 5% of the vote and thus no representation
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16
Q

What were Adenauer’s strengths as a leader?

A
  • very pragmatic leadership -party motto: “no experiments”- put welfare of German people ahead of ideological beliefs
  • great supporter of democracy
  • very practical leadership: appointed ex-nazis into his government if he thought they could help
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17
Q

How did the CDU/CSU deal with the need to reconstruct housing?

A

They implemented the 1950 ‘construction law’ in which they provided generous subsidies to the construction industry

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18
Q

How successful was the 1950 construction law?

A

Created 4 million new dwellings by 1957

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19
Q

How did the CDU/CSU deal with the need to compensate the victims of the nazis?

A

The 1953 equalisation of burdens act compensated those most affected by the war
It was financed by taxes and levies on those least affected

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20
Q

How did the CDU/CSU deal with the need for economic growth?

A
  • released control on prices to allow competitiveness
  • cut tax dramatically: 95% tax bracket moved up from 6000DM income to 25000DM income & those on 2400DM or lower had tax cut from 84% to 18%
  • Marshall aid rejuvenated industry
  • trade blocs such as coal and steel community and later the EEC
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21
Q

How did the CDU/CSU deal with the need for welfare reform?

A

1957 ‘pensions act’ created index linked pensions and increased initial pensions by 60-75%

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22
Q

How did the CDU/CSU deal with the need to clarify the role of the armed forces

A
  • Following the FRG’s acceptance into the EDC, they needed to create an army to combat communism
  • The Bundeswehr (people’s army) was created in 1957
  • To appease the French, the Bundeswehr had heavy restrictions and the FRG had no nuclear threat
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23
Q

Was there opposition to the creation of the Bundeswehr?

A
  • The SPD heavily protested the creation of the army as they were anti-war
  • Many civilians detested the army and the reminder of the pain of men in uniform brought about with the nazis and in world war 2
  • As time passed, there was less and less opposition to the army as people saw it as protecting the people
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24
Q

How did the CDU/CSU deal with the need to clarify the direction of foreign policy?

A
  • a strong sense of ‘westpolitik’ with the joining of the ‘coal and steel community’ and the EDC (later NATO)
  • the 1955 Halstein doctrine was a very anti communist statement
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25
Q

How did the CDU/CSU deal with former Nazis?

A
  • they aimed to reintegrate them into society and tried to help society forgive and forget the past
  • CDU/CSU even appointed some former nazis into their government
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26
Q

What was ‘co-determination’?

A

The right of workers in an industry to have a say in the management of companies

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27
Q

What was the social market economy?

A

A free market economy but the state could intervene to protect consumers if needs be

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28
Q

How did the Korean War (1950) affect FRG economic growth?

A
  • Increased the demand for German exports and got German industry moving
  • increased the number of imports Germany had to make
  • this led to a balance of payments deficit however got German industry rolling again
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29
Q

How did the FRG work creation schemes affect economic growth

A

Reduced the number of unemployment slightly that was at 8.1% in 1950

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30
Q

How did the FRG ‘1951 investment aid law’ affect the economy?

A

3.2bn DM invested into industry helped to create new jobs, modernise capital and increase output

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31
Q

How did the FRG change in tariffs affect the economy?

A

Cut protective tariffs by 50% to increase the level of international trade

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32
Q

How did the FRG scheme of co-determination benefit the economy?

A

The right of workers to be part of the management of companies created a greater sense of unity, pleased unions and lowered the wage demands of workers

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33
Q

How did Erhard’s price decontrol laws affect the economy?

A

1948 price decontrols allowed greater competitiveness of firms following price controls from 1936

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34
Q

How did Erhard’s tax cuts benefit the Economy?

A

In 1949, tax was cut heavily
Eg. 95% tax bracket rose from earners of 6000DM to 25000DM
Tax rate moved down from 84% to 18% for people earning 2400DM or lower

-this led to increased demand for goods and services and encouraged workers to work more hours to make more money, which increased output

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35
Q

How did the restructuring of trade unions affect the FRG economy?

A

Each industry had one trade union, all under the umbrella organisation of the DGB
This created a greater sense of unity and led to one of the lowest strike rates in Europe, resulting in greater efficiency

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36
Q

How did the FRG reconstruction programme affect the economy?

A

1950 construction programme created 4 million new dwellings by 1957
This increased German standard of living and increased demand for other goods in the economy

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37
Q

How did the state of natural and human resources in the FRG affect the economy?

A
  • FDR already had an abundance of natural resources eg. Rhineland
  • In 1939, German output was 2nd largest in the world
  • In 1951, price of raw materials dropped heavily, allowing German industry to boom
  • majority of successful German infrastructure remained in tact
  • -it could be argued that due to the German state of natural resources, economic growth was inevitable
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38
Q

How did the lack of FRG spending on rearmament affect the economy?

A

It allowed them to invest their money elsewhere in improving their economies whilst other nations had to spend money on defence

39
Q

How did the Coal & Steel community benefit the FRG economy

A
  • Allowed the FRG to exploit new and expanding markets and improve international trade relationships with foreign nations
  • Removed tariffs and created a free labour market
40
Q

What was Willy Brandt’s job before he was chancellor

A

He was the mayor of West Berlin during the construction of the Berlin Wall

41
Q

What was Brandt’s opinion on Adenauer?

A

He was shocked and disappointed at the amount of time it took Adenauer to visit W. Berlin following the construction of the wall

42
Q

What was Brandt’s aim in respect to the division of Germany?

A

He wanted to reduce the negative effects of the division of Germany

43
Q

Why was ‘ostpolitik’ able to happen?

A

Due to the thawing of superpower relationships following the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, and the consequential international policy of détente.

44
Q

How did the FRG go about achieving Ostpolitik?

A

Through a process called “rapprochement” which was improving relationships through diplomacy and agreement rather than through force

45
Q

What was the ‘Treaty of Moscow’, and when was it?

A

1970- The FRG and USSR agreed to accept each others borders and to not claim land from one another

46
Q

What was the ‘Treaty of Warsaw’ and when was it?

A

1970- The FRG agreed to accept the border between the GDR and Poland; the ‘Oder-Neisse line’ and agreed not to request any land that Poland claimed from Germany following the second world war

47
Q

What was the ‘Four Power Treaty’ and when was it?

A

1971- allowed West Berlin citizens to visit East Germany in order to see friends and family etc.

48
Q

What was the ‘Basic Treaty’ and when was it?

A

1972- Agreed for there to be normal relations between the FRG and GDR and for them to recognise each other

49
Q

What was the East German reaction to ostpolitik, and what is an example of this reaction?

A

A very positive and enthusiastic reaction

-This is shown by when Willy Brandt visited the GDR in 1970 and he was greatly supported by the East German crowd

50
Q

What was the West German reaction to ostpolitik, and what is an example of this?

A

Overall, there was public support for ‘Ostpolitik’
-This is displayed by Willy Brandt being re-elected in 1972

-However, some of the German public disagreed with the Treaty of Warsaw as they felt it accepted the loss of land and property to Poland

51
Q

What was the West German opinion on reunification and division- according to the opinion polls- following Ostpolitik

A

opinion polls showed a gradual acceptance of division, and a gradual increase in opposition to reunification

52
Q

What were the impacts of ostpolitik?

A
  • Created the foundations of improved diplomatic and democratic relationships and developments
  • Helped to thaw many cold war conflicts
  • Reduced the fear of a conflict over West Berlin
  • Increased international recognition of the GDR
  • Allowed the FRG and GDR to join the UN in 1973
53
Q

When did the FRG and GDR join the UN?

A

1973

54
Q

Despite the 1972 Basic Treaty, How did the FRG show they wanted reunification with the GDR? (5)

A
  • Still did not officially accept the GDR as a separate foreign state under international law
  • East German citizens could automatically claim West German citizenship
  • Neither side had official ambassadors for each other; just representatives
  • FRG still stated in it’s constitution that it was dedicated towards reunification
  • Willy Brandt stated that he believed Ostpolitik would go to undermine the GDR’s position
55
Q

Positive impacts of Ostpolitik?

A
  • Even during heightened cold war tensions, the FRG and GDR kept a close, and healthy, relationship
  • Gave GDR significant economic advantage- They received 15Bn DM in loans from the FRG from 1972-1989
56
Q

Negative impacts of Ostpolitik

A
  • Two very different Germanys became increasingly distinct of each other
  • Division became the status quo
57
Q

Despite Ostpolitik, why was there tension between the FRG and GDR?

A
  • FRG continued to criticise GDR government
  • Both sides continued to prepare for nuclear war with the construction of a nuclear shelter in West Berlin in 1973 that could house 27,000 people
58
Q

What were Willy Brandt’s main spending increases on during his tenure in 1969-1974?

A
  • Pensions were raised by 5%
  • Sickness benefits were raised by 9.5%
  • Spending on education and scientific research raised by 500%
59
Q

What were Willy Brandt’s main changes in laws relating to age during his tenure 1969-1974?

A
  • Lowered the voting age to 18

- Raised the compulsory education leaving age to 16

60
Q

Was Brandt re-elected in 1972?

A

Yes, with 45.8% of the vote- A large percentage of the vote

61
Q

What did Brandt’s re-election in 1972?

A

There was a majority of support for his policy of Ostpolitik

62
Q

What was Willy Brandt’s most successful personal achievement?

A

Winning the Nobel Peace prize in 1971

63
Q

What were the main economic problems within Willy Brandt’s chancellorship (1969-1974)?

A
  • Growing inflation and unemployment

- The 1973 Oil Crisis: led to growing unemployment and a large strike of the trade unions in 1974

64
Q

What were the main political problems during Willy Brandt’s chancellorship?

A
  • Some anger and dissent towards ‘Ostpolitik’ and particularly the ‘Treaty of Warsaw’, as they felt the FRG were signing off their land to Poland
  • Divisions within the coalition over how to deal with the troubled economy: Left wing wanted to increase spending whilst Right wing wanted austerity
  • Brandt almost lost vote of no confidence in 1972, which he only survived by two votes (which were later found to be bribed votes)
65
Q

What was the main social issue during Willy Brandt’s chancellorship 1969-1974?

A

The wave of communist terrorism that spread through the FRG from 1970-1972

66
Q

How and why did Willy Brandt lose power?

A

He resigned in 1974 following the discovery that his close associate, Gunter Guillame, was a GDR spy

67
Q

How did the unemployment figures in the FRG change from 1973 to 1975 (coinciding with the oil crisis)

A
  • 400,000 in 1973

- 1 million in 1975

68
Q

How did the cost of imports change from 1970-1973?

A
  • Price of non-oil commodities rose by 70%
  • Price of food rose by 100%
  • Price of oil rose by 100% at end of 1973
69
Q

When and what was the ‘Oil Crisis’?

A

1973, the ‘Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) decided to double the price of oil

70
Q

How did the 1973 Oil Crisis affect the FRG’s spending?

A

-They had to spend 17Bn DM more on oil

71
Q

How did the 1973 Oil Crisis affect people living in the FRG

A
  • Led to increased unemployment due to an increase in the costs of production (from 400,000 in 1973 – 1 million in 1975)
  • Led to a temporary ban on driving on sundays
72
Q

What happened in 1978-1979 in regards to the Oil Crisis

A
  • The crisis appeared to be easing in 1978

- However, following the Iranian revolution and the fall of the Shah in 1979, the price of oil rose by 150%

73
Q

What was the Baader-Meinhof group?

A

The most violent youth organisation in the FRG- resorted to arson and assassination

74
Q

What was the most violent youth organisation in the FRG?

A

The Baader-Meinhof group- resorted to arson and assassination

75
Q

How did Willy Brandt attempt to deal with the Baader-Meinhof group?

A
  • In 1972, tightened regulations on ownership of arms and ammunition
  • 150,000 police hired in trying to track down the gang
76
Q

What was the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organisation’s) role in the FRG?

A
  • Attacked a plane in Munich in 1971 resulted in 1 death and 11 injuries
  • Responsible for the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics
  • Links with the Baader-Meinhof gang
77
Q

Who were the Baader Meinhof gang linked to?

A

The PLO

78
Q

Why was there a fear of a resurgence in Nazism in the FRG?

A

-in 1983, the Neo-Nazi ‘Republikaner Party’ was formed and went on to gain representation in the European and West German courts

79
Q

Why was there a fear of a communist resurgence in the FRG?

A
  • A new communist party was formed in 1969 called the DKP and was backed by the GDR
  • However, it was always on the periphery and only gained 50,000 supporters
80
Q

When and why did the FRG Green Party become popular

A
  • Entered the Bundestag (surpassing the 5% threshold) in 1983
  • The main opposition to the FRG’s nuclear programme
81
Q

What was the FRG stance on the Middle East?

A

Established full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965, and generally supported the Israeli position in the middle east

82
Q

What was the state of FRG-GDR trade?

A
  • Trade was generally strong as ‘Inter-German trade’ did not incur any taxes or tariffs as it was categorised as domestic trade
  • This allowed the GDR to become an unofficial member of the EEC due to its links with the FRG
83
Q

What was the impact of Ludwig Erhard?

A
  • Was responsible for the creation of the Social-Market economy
  • Introduced work creation schemes
  • Responsible for the 1950 Housing act
84
Q

When did the FRG become entirely independent?

A

In 1954, the Allied High Commission was abolished

–>A year later, the FRG became an independent state

85
Q

What is a sign of Adenauer’s popularity?

A

In 1957, Adenauer’s CDU party became the only party in German history to gain an overall majority in the Bundestag

86
Q

Why did Adenauer leave power?

A
  • The ban of the KPD in 1956 was seen as overly restrictive and resembled Nazi behaviour
  • The ‘Spiegel affair’ of 1962, where journalists from the Spiegel newspaper were arrested for criticising the FRG armed forces became a major scandal and eventually forced Adenauer to resign
87
Q

What is some support for the fear of becoming an American puppet amongst FRG citizens?

A

-FRG soldiers were not allowed in West Berlin as it was protected by allied troops

88
Q

When did the FRG implement compulsory military service?

A

1955

89
Q

When was Helmut Kohl the chancellor of the FRG?

A

1982-1998

was the chancellor of the unified Germany as well

90
Q

What were some of Helmut Kohl’s beneficial policies? (5)

A
  • He criticised the “two-thirds society” in which two thirds were long term unemployed and the rest had a relatively high standard of living
  • He cut government spending in many areas but kept welfare spending high
  • Benefitted from the fall in oil prices in the 1980’s which helped to boost the economy
  • Continued the policy of Ostpolitik with Honecker visiting the FRG in 1987
91
Q

What were some of Kohl’s negative moments as chancellor?

A

-High level of corruption within his government, and by 1989 it was looking as though he may have to resign

92
Q

How did Chancellor Kohl impact the reunification process?

A

November 1989: the creation of the ‘Ten-Point Plan’ which had policies such as better economic aid to the GDR, better postal services and reunification

93
Q

What was the economic unification treaty?

A

-The economic union- On July 1, 1990, the Deutschmark became the single currency for both the FRG and GDR, whilst GDR citizens were able to exchange the East German mark at a 1-to-1 rate

94
Q

What was the allied treaty for reunification?

A
  • The FRG and GDR did not have the power to unify without allied agreement
  • The “Two plus Four” agreements discussed the reunification and in May 1990, reunification was agreed
95
Q

When was the final reunification decision made?

A

The final treaty was signed on 31 August 1990

History AS (11 decks)

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