Political and Governmental Change, 1945-89 Flashcards
(30 cards)
What became of Germany after the Second World War?
the US, France, Britain and the USSR split Germany into four zones after the Potsdam conference of 1945. They would set up an Allied Control Council (ACC) in order to make decisions across zones to keep Germany intact for reunification. However, due to growing tensions between the the east and west, especially over the fear of communism, this affected how Germany was run.
What were the main parties in West Germany?
- The first to form was the KPD, which had continued outside Germany throughout the Nazi era. They did not aim to create a communist/soviet-style regime. They wanted to create ‘German Socialism’ including land reform, a new education system and a democratic government. This was different compared to the inter war years, as the KPD were much more extreme, however all parties wanted to aim to moderate extremism.
- The SPD reformed, with more radical policies than the KDP. Many members like the leader, Kurt Schumacher, had been imprisoned in concentration camps throughout 1933-45. this gave them a moral pedestal to ask the allies for German control of democracy. They wanted the nationalisation of banks, land and key industries and significant social welfare systems.
- Two main Christian Groups established themselves: the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) anthem d the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU). Most of the Christian parties cared about social welfare for the poor. Most parties joined the CDU in 1949.
- Several liberal groups came into fruition, however they learned from the mistakes of Weimar, and the dangers of having many similar parties, as voters would spread votes across all of them, weakening their power. In 1947, these liberal groups formed a union called the Free Democratic Party (FDP)
How did the division of Germany into two affect the political system?
As several countries had become communist, like Poland, Yugoslavia, Hungary and Bulgaria, Marshall Aid was administered to countries not yet taken over by this, like Turkey and Greece. this had created severe tensions, and different political systems began to appear in East Germany. While West Germany retained the party system containing the CDU and FDP, the SPD and KPD joined to form the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) in East Germany.
Results of the October 1946 election
The SPD/KPD alliance had won in the Soviet zone, while performing poorly elsewhere in Germany.
What was the Basic Law?
This was the constitution of the FRG, similar to the constitution of Weimar. It was ratified in May 1949. It outlined a very free and liberal democracy while allowing of the fact that it was a constitution that would be rewritten when reunification occurred. Compared to Weimar Germany, they did not have to work under the pressures of the army, trade unions or monarchists/aristocracy.
What did the Basic Law promise?
- Equal rights to all German citizens, regardless of sex, race, political views or religion
- Free speech, freedom to form unions, freedom of assembly and no censorship
- A state education for all, private schooling was allowed.
- It could ban political parties if they seemed to undermine the FRG or democracy. This showed a clear nervousness about extremism.
How did the FRG and GDR take sides as the Cold War progressed?
January 1949 - Comecon (council for mutual economic assistance) set up between USSR and satellite states
April 1949 - NATO is set up - ‘defensive’ alliance against the USSR
1950 - The GDR joins Comecon
May 1955 - The Warsaw Pact of communist countries made to counter NATO. The GDR is a member
1955 - The Hallstein Doctrine
March 1957 - FRG is one of the founding members of the European Economic Community
August 1961 - The Berlin Wall cut off rail links between both sides of the city, some families left stranded.
The Hallstein Doctrine: what did it mean?
Walter Hallstein (undersecretary of state in 1955) developed this Doctrine which stated that it does not recognise the GDR as a lawful government, and stated that the FRG spoke for the whole of Germany, including the Soviet Zone, and it will not cooperate with any country that recognises the GDR. This came into effect twice, cutting of relations with Yugoslavia (1957) and Cuba (1963).
Who was Konrad Adenauer? How did some people react to his measures?
Konrad Adenauer was chancellor between 1949-1963. Some opposed his authoritarian style of management. Until 1955, he controlled foreign and domestic policy as both chancellor and foreign minister; some believed that this gave him powers beyond what the Basic Law could allow. He was also accused of appointing weak ministers (except for Erhard, who was responsible for the economic miracle of 1955-66). However, his forceful personality kept FRG coalitions working together until 1957 where the CDU/CSU won a majority. They remained the main party in the Bundestag.
How did Chancellor Adenauer create a stable political base for the FRG, in terms of controlling extremist parties?
In September 1949, he set out his policy agenda, hoping for unification and closer European integration. Some thought that integration would become an obstacle to reunification, and the SPD were especially critical of his western focus. Adenauer worked to minimise the left wing opposition, which reminded some of the Nazi laws of 1933. In 1952, the right wing Socialist Reich Party was banned and in 1956 the KPD was declared unconstitutional in their attitude to democracy under Article 21 which was a clause in the Basic Law that reserved the right to ban any parties workin against democracy. The party was banned, as they went against the Basic Law. This countered the democratic nature of the Basic Law, but created stability.
What were some of the positives of Adenauer’s domestic policies?
- The 1950 Construction Law resulted in grants provided to the Lander to start large-scale building projects. 4 million new homes were built, helped refugees who had fled as well.
- The 1952 Equalisation of Burdens Act meant the redistribution of wealth to aid those affected by Allied bombing. Citizens whose net worth was over 5000DM were taxed 5% in 30 instalments. by 1983, 126 billion DM was raised.
- Adenauer reduced tensions between workers and employers through the 1949 Collective Bargaining Law (unions had legal rights to negotiate on behalf of workers and take industrial action if necessary) and the 1952 Works Consultation Act (encouraged the establishment of consultative councils in any enterprise where there were 20+ employed. More stable industrial relations meant fewer strikes.
Why was Adenauer’s rebuilding of the civil service controversial?
- Article 131 stated that ex-Nazis could be employed into the civil service.
- Many had cynicisms towards De-Nazification policies, believing in some Nazi sympathisers in the CDU.
- A 1952 Bundestag report found 4 ex-Nazis working in the foreign ministry. This could be damaging to the FRGs standing globally
What was article 131?
Article 131 stated that ex-Nazis could be employed into the civil service
What factors contributed to the downfall of Adenauer?
1959 - The SPD had gained support after a meeting at Bad Godesberg. They had advocated for the establishment of a free market economy, where the government does not interfere in controlling the economy. The Godesberg Program was a fundamental change to the orientation of the SPD: they had become much less socialist, for example removing aims to nationalise businesses and removing the replacement of capitalism.
January 1961 - Adenauer wanted to establish a government controlled TV station to influence the next election, as competitive TV stations were too associated with the SPD and too critical of the CDU.
28th Feb 1961 - This was denied by the Supreme Court, as the Executive Branch (The Ministers and Chancellor) were interfering with the Legislative Branch (The Bundestag and Bundesrat)
October 1962 - The Der Spiegel Affair and Franz Joseph Strauss, Minister of Defense. He was too heavy handed in the arrest of DS journalists with the support of Adenauer. This caused him to resign if the SPD were to work in a coalition with the CDU.
Adenauer’s performance in elections 1957 and 1961
1957 - The CDU/CSU vote = 50%
1961 - Fell to 46%
This was contributed by Adenauer’s failed attempt to run for president in 1959, while chancellor, going against the constitution.
How long was Adenauer in power for?
1949-63
Who was Chancellor after Adenauer?
Ludwig Erhard (1963-66)
Who was chancellor after Erhard?
Kurt Kiesinger (1966-69)
What was the Grand Coalition?
A coalition government formed by Kurt Kiesinger in 1966-69 between the CDU/CSU and the SPD.
Why was there tension around the time of Kurt Kiesinger in office?
- There were student opposition forces, such as the APO, which had a large student university following. They were discontented with the grand coalition and the fact that 90% of the Bundestag was part of this coalition. There was no strong left wing forces to represent them, as the SPD had become less radical, and the KPD was banned in 1956 (too ‘unconstitutional’).
- Many were against the idea of year zero
- Many were against the US role in the Vietnam War (1954-75).
- Many were anti-nukes, and were afraid that NATO allies would store nukes in the FRG, or that the FRG would start building nukes.
1968 - Emergency Law passed, increased terrorism, while successfully decreasing the amount of instances of terrorism.
What party was Brandt from?
SPD
Why was Brandt’s chancellory different from Adenauer’s?
He adopted the policy of Ostpolitik, which was working with the GDR. This is different from 1949-63 as Adenauer and Hallstein worked against the GRD and did not recognise it (Hallstein Doctrine, 1955)
Ostpolitik process under Brandt (1969-74)
- Brandt actually visited the GDR in 1973 and the two states recognised each other in the Basic Treaty of June 1973
August 1970 - Non aggression pact with the USSR
December 1970 - Signing the Treaty of Warsaw with Poland
What was the Bundestag’s reaction to Ostpolitik?
Not very good, many opposed it, for example the failed vote of no confidence in April 1972. The CDU/CSU thought that Ostpolitik was like giving in to communism and wearing the aim of German reunification.
