Opposition, control and consent, 1949-89

Question 1

How did the FRG clamp down on certain political groups?

Answer 1

Using a clause in the Basic Law that said that political parties could exist as long as they did not threaten the constitution or the principles of democracy.

Question 2

What was the name of the right-wing party that was banned in 1952?

Answer 2

The Socialist Reich Party.

Question 3

What happened in Munich in 1953?

Answer 3

6000 communists clashed with the police and the police used water cannon to disperse the marchers.

Question 4

What was the SDS?

Answer 4

The German Socialist Student Union had been part of the SPD but broke away in 1961 because it felt the party was becoming less and less radical. The SDS protested about the Vietnam War and the use of nuclear weapons. Also protested about former Nazis holding office in government and the FRG’s involvement in NATO.

Question 5

Who was the leader of the SDS from 1965?

Answer 5

Rudi Dutschke.

Question 6

What steps did the FRG take to control political extremism?

Answer 6

The Bundesamt fur Verfassungsschutz (BfV) was set up in 1950. 
The Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) was set up in 1956.

Question 7

What was the difference between the BfV and the BND?

Answer 7

The BfV worked only inside Germany and reported to the minister of the interior. The BND reported directly to the chancellor and conducted investigations abroad as well as in Germany.

Question 8

What were both organisations hampered by?

Answer 8

By the civil liberties granted to people under the Basic Law: they were forbidden to open mail, search homes or monitor phone calls.

Question 9

Describe the “year zero” policy adopted by many Germans and right-wing politicians

Answer 9

The policy of “year zero” believed that the aim of West Germany should be to move forward from the legacy of the Nazi.

Question 10

Identify 3 ways the allies tried to de-Nazify Germany after WW2

Answer 10

• By late 1946, nearly 250,000 ex-Nazis were arrested and help in prison
• Approximately 1600 ex- Nazi scientists and doctors avoided prosecution by agreeing to work for the USA
• By 1947, more than 85% of school teachers in Bavaria who had lost their jobs through de-Nazification were back at work

Question 11

Identify 3 reasons that explain why the de-Nazification process in Germany was limited

Answer 11

• Loopholes - hardline Nazis escaped justice
• Unfeasible to prosecute all Nazis
• “year zero” approach