FRG politics Flashcards
(28 cards)
What was decided at the Yalta conference and when was it?
February 1945 when the allies were certain of victory. USA UK and USSR agreed to divide Germany and Berlin into four. Also agreed that USSR would keep part of Poland and have a sphere of influence over eastern Europe.
Why did the Cold War begin?
USA and USSR divided by their conflicting ideologies but came to a head over the occupation and government of Germany as they were not complying with each other.
What was the Berlin Blockade?
24th June 1948 -Land and water connections into West Berlin were stopped. Stalin aimed to force the allies out of Berlin. Allies used airlift system to supply the city and the blockade on 12th May 1949.
When was the federal republic of Germany created?
23 May 1949- now had no official occupation but still a military presence.
When did the FRG join NATO?
1955
What six things did the basic law set up?
-A Bundestag or federal parliament.
-Chancellor as the head of government
-A president with limited ceremonial powers
-A second chamber Bundesrat which had veto powers over the Bundestag
-A federal constitutional court
-The FRG as a federal system- parliament had considerable local powers.
What was the voting system used in the FRG?
First-Past-The-Post with elements of proportional representation to allocate half the seats with each.
How was the president appointed?
Via a federal convention
What are some protections of democracy under the basic law that learn from the mistakes of weimar?
-Limited presidential power (no article 48)
-5% threshold in the reichstag to avoid extremist parties gaining representation
-Chancellor could only be brought down if another was ready to govern and had support of more than half of the Bundestag
-Court challenged government
-Emphasised human rights an the governments duty to uphold them
What was the CDU?
Catholic Conservative Party which was less tainted by the nazis than other right wing emerging parties after the war.
Adenauers party built a political force after the war.
Was successful at attracting a wide range of votes and did not market itself as a catholic party .
What was the SPD?
Initially a marxist party in favour of German unification. First post was leader was Kurt Schumacher.
Who was Adenauer?
First chancellor in the FRG 1949-1963. Leader of the CDU. He was a former centre part mayor of cologne and was president of the Prussian state council. He dominated government and pursued policies vigorously.
What was Adenauers policy of integration?
Instead of denazification Adenauer supported a policy where former nazis would be integrated into post war Germany. He argued this would build a unified and harmonious country.
What was the problem with Adenauers state secretary?
He had been involved in drafting anti Semitic laws but Adenauer didn’t sack him.
What was Adenauers policy of restitution?
He believed in making amends to the Jewish people in paying large reparations of 3 billion Deutschmarks to Isreal. Supported a creation of a claims conference for jewish victims of Nazi crime.
What was Adenauer’s foreign policy.
He believed germanys future was in the west and therefore ignored Stalins suggestion of a unified but unaligned Germany. Joined NATO in return for committing to limiting future military capabilities.
What was Adenauers social market economy?
A mixed economic model combining capitalism and social welfare. helped to create social harmony and economic growth.
Why did Adenauer have such success at the 1957 election?
He secured the return of the final 10,000 prisoners of war held by the Soviet Union.
Why did Adenauer step down?
A scandal implicating the government in repressive practices in 1963.
Who was chancellor from 1963-66 and what happened?
Ludwig Erhard who pursued German unification but had to step down over budget difficulties.
Did the people support the FRG?
Most supported democracy especially its success in economic policy and its links to the west. Had high turnouts in elections 80-90%.
What was the grand coalition and what happened?
The coalition of the CDU and SPD lead by Kurt Kieslinger in 1966-69. Fell because of criticisms around his authoritarian tendencies and Kielingers status as an ex Nazi party member.
Why did Willy Brandt get into power in 1969-1974?
SPD growing in popularity due to support from the young. and he represented a comprehensive break with Germanys nazi past. He also won popularity for his opposition to the Berlin Wall.
What was Ostpolitik?
Brants attempts to normalise relations with east Germany.
