Germany - 6.2. Why was Germany divided in 1949? Flashcards
(47 cards)
1
Q
What were the allied post war plans?
A
Three ‘summits’ (a meeting between heads of government) were held to make decisions about post war plans.
2
Q
When did the Teheran summit take place?
A
1943
3
Q
Who attended the Teheran summit?
A
The big 3
- US
- Britain
- France
4
Q
What were the aims of the Teheran summit?
A
To determine military strategy for the last part of the war
5
Q
What were the outcomes of the Teheran summit?
A
Plans were made but not established they included the division Germany and destroying all industry and restoring
6
Q
When did the yalta summit take place?
A
Feb 1945
7
Q
Who attended the yalta summit?
A
Churchill,Roosevelet and Stalin
8
Q
What were the aims of the yalta summit?
A
To discuss the challenge that the defeat of Germany would bring
9
Q
What was the outcome of the yalta summit?
A
- Germany would be divided into 4 ,one area ran by each of the main allies
- berlin would also be divided into 4 zones
- Eastern europe countries would be allowed to hold free election
- USSR would join the war agansit Japan in return for terrority
10
Q
When did the Potsdam summit take place?
A
July -Aug 1945
11
Q
Who attended the Potsdam summit?
A
Attlee,Truman and Stalin
12
Q
What were the aims of the Potsdam summit?
A
Continued the discussion left at Yalta.However,Stalin did not trust the other 2 and they did not trust him either
13
Q
What were the outcomes of the Potsdam summit?
A
Nazi party was banned and 2 river were going to act as a border between Germany and Poland
14
Q
What were the main differences between the Yalta and Potsdam conferences?
A
Yalta was the initial peace meeting and Potsdam was more to do with economic issues and immediate issues
15
Q
What was the ACC?
A
Allied council control
16
Q
Why was the ACC created?
A
To administer the zones.
17
Q
What were the 4 principles outlined at potsdam?
A
4ds
- Denazification
- Demilitarization
- Decentralization
- Democratisation
18
Q
What did Denazification for the US zone look like?
A
US zone:
- Wanted to destroy Nazism completely and practically dismantled all of the Nazi structures
- Anyone who had been a party member before 1937 was dismissed from office.
- Dealt with Germans severely.
19
Q
What did Denazification for the British zone look like?
A
British zone:
- More lenient, they allowed ex-party members to return to their positions and even assume leadership positions.
- Some students who had had Nazi links moved from the US zone to the British zone to enrol.
20
Q
What did Denazification for the French zone look like?
A
French zone:
- Denazification was limited in this zone
- They were more concerned with defence and security.
21
Q
What did Denazification for the Soviet zone look like?
A
Soviet zone:
- Altered the social/economic situation mimicking communist policies.
- Large-scale round ups and removal of ex-Nazis from key positions.
- Their aim was to establish communist governance so opposition was removed under the guise of denazification.
22
Q
What does Decentralisaiton mean?
A
he transfer of control of the Nazi Party towards several authorities
23
Q
What did Decentralisaiton for the US zone look like?
A
- Strongest supporters of decentralisation due to own federal system.
- Clay (military governor) had established three lander by May 1946, where elections were held.
24
Q
What did Decentralisaiton for the French zone look like?
A
- Wanted to dismember Germany for own security.
- Blocked other Western powers in the ACC for a more coordinated centralised administration of Germany.
- Held zone under tight rule and economically cut off from the rest.
- Resisted re-establishing democratic parties at first - March 1947 Lander elections were permitted.
25
What did Decentralisaiton for the British zone look like?
- At first wary of giving Germans political freedom and powers and preferred own centralised administration.
- Growing financial costs meant passed back responsibility to Germans.
- May 1947: free elections for federal state parliaments were held.
26
What did Decentralisaiton for the Soviet zone look like?
- By 1945 had five ‘lander’ states (federal states in German speaking countries).
- Soviets distrusted the federal structure so established at the same time a range of centralised authorities responsible for housing, transport etc.
- Regional authorities were controlled by Communists.
27
What does Democratisation mean?
wanted Nazism replaced with genuine democratic political parties
28
What did Democratisation for the Social Democrats (SPD) mean?
-Rebuilt its old organisational structures, described as a moralist party.
Aims:
-Improve living conditions
-Regarded itself as a socialist party, between the capitalist economies of West and Soviet dictatorship of the East.
29
What did Democratisation for the Liberal Parties (LDPD and FDP [Western Zones])
mean?
Stressed the right of private property & upheld advantages of free markets.
30
What did Democratisation for the Christian Democrats (CDU) mean?
- Recognised the need for a unified Christian conservative party.
- Tried to appeal broadly to the conservative middle class, and Protestand/Catholic alike.
- Built from Christian social ideas and Christian trade union movement.
- Adopted social policies from 1947 e.g. public ownership of key industries.
31
What did Democratisation for the The Communists (KPD) mean?
- Unify the working class of Germany.
- Full political backing from the Soviets in their zone.
- In Western zones had limited chance of political power as seen as a tool of the Soviets.
32
What did Allied Occupation look like for the Soviet Zone?
`-SMAD was established to supervise the occupation of the zone
- KPD and SDP merged in 1946 to form SED under pressure from the USSR dictatorship- not widely supported by the German population.
- SED advocated democratic centralism (All decision making was approved by the people)
- By 1949 the Soviet Zone was run on the principles of Stalin’s dictatorship.
33
What were the issues within Allied Occupation in the Soviet Zone?
- Soviets wanted to pursue reparations claims
- All firms under Soviet control and industrial plants dismantled
- Skilled workers were sent to the USSR
- Banks under national control and complete nationalisation of industry
- Collectivisation (community farming) was widespread.
34
What were the issues within Allied Occupation in the Western Zone?
- 25% of housing had been destroyed by war – led to a crisis whereby undamaged homes had to accommodate refugees.
- Poor quality housing.
- Coal production had collapsed – led to fuel crisis, lack of heating for homes and industry. Main priority and focus on coal industry was worthwhile.
- Malnourishment increases as rations decline. Epidemic of illnesses (typhus). Average calorie intake was 700-1200 a day for adults. Food parcels sent and international charity intervention.
- Churchill’s ‘iron curtain’ speech outlining the fear of growing Soviet influence led to the cooperation of the British and USA and creation of the Bizone.
- German Economic Council was created to administrate the zones and encouraged Germans to take more responsibility for ru
35
What was the Truman Doctrine?
The name given to the US foreign policy which gave support for governments fighting for freedom against communist takeover and led to the policy of containment (preventing the spread of communism).
36
How was the Truman Doctrine & Marshall Aid linked?
- Truman believed that where there was poverty, there was potential for communist expansion. Therefore, America poured money into the European economy through the Marshall Plan or Aid.
- Marshall Aid benefitted American trade as well as supporting the emerging economies of Europe which had been badly damaged by war
37
Why was a new currency needed?
-So that the economy of Germany would avoid destabilisation
| Financing of the war had created high inflation and around 50% of the trade was based on black market bartering.
38
Who was Responsible for the new currency?
Ludwig Erhard ( Director of the Economic Council of Bizone)
39
When/where was the DM (Deutsche Mark) introduced?
1948
| in the 3 Western Allied zones.
40
Was the introduction of the new currency positive?
- No as black markets collapsed, business production and trade was stimulated.
- But it prompted a political crisis over Berlin as the Soviet zone introduced their own East German mark.
41
What was the Berlin blockade?
- Blocked all access to West Berlin
- Aimed to pressurise the Allies into giving up the new currency.
- Organised by the Western Powers the ‘Berlin airlift’ provided food and fuel supplies to the population of West Berlin.
42
Why was the Berlin Blockade launched?
- Britain and the US wanted germany to recover
- The french were unsure whether to help german economic recovery or keep germany weak and -The USSR did not want to rebuild Germany and Stalin was suspicious about American and British intentions
43
What was Trizonia?
- August 1948 - France joins the bizonia (Britain and USA) to make the Trizone
44
What was Bizonia?
Britain and America's zones joining forces
45
Key causes of the blockade?
- currency of the west vs currency of the east
- Introduction of the deche mark - annoyed the soviets as they wanted to introduce their own currency so they saw it as a direct attack
46
How did the Berlin Blockade end?
- Soviets eventually ended the blockade when it became apparent it was not working.
- The blockade proved that neither Soviet or Western Powers were willing to risk war or back down on their principles
- The blockade was lifted by May 1949 and the division of Germany was inevitable.
47
What were the impacts/outcome of the Berlin Blockade?
- The Soviets cut some 2.5 million civilians in the three western sectors of Berlin off from access to electricity, as well as food, coal and other crucial supplies
- Germany and berlin would remain a source of tension in europe throughout the cold war
- Led to the formation of NATO in 1949
