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Flashcards in politics and governmental change Deck (25)
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1
Q

How was Germany governed after world war two?

A

at Potsdam zones of occupation were agreed. The allies got the FRG (west)

2
Q

When were political parties set up in Germany?

A

From June 1945

3
Q

Identify the main political parties of the FRG

A

Left wing : KPD and SPD
Liberal: FDP
Right wing: CDU

4
Q

How did political parties overcome problems faced by parties in the Weimar republic?

A

faith based and liberal parties both negotiated to create single parties
-realised that a large number of parties with similar aims divided votes

5
Q

When was Germany permanently divided between East and west?

A

FRG established may 1949

German Democratic Republic established October 1949

6
Q

When was the basic law created?

A

1 September 1948 - parliamentary council draw up Constitution
announced 23 may 1949

7
Q

Identify the main features of the basic law?

A
➕equal rights to all citizens
➕free speech, free assembly, no censorship
➕state education available to all
➕A20 - democratic social federal state 
➕A21 -parties must conform to democracy
8
Q

In what ways did the basic law overcome political problems encountered in the WR?

A

➕army, trade unions and monarchists are less powerful pressures in FRG
➕parties need at least 5% of votes to gain representation
➕A21

9
Q

What similar problems to the WR did the FRG encounter?

A

need for coalition governments due to lack of majority

10
Q

In what ways did Adenauer bring about greater political stability 1949-63?

A

➕forceful management of the Bundestag kept coalitions working together
➕excluded political opposition
- 1956 Socialist Reich Party banned
-1956 KPD declared unconstitutional

11
Q

What was the Hallstein Doctrine signed by the gov in 1955?

A

hardened the FRG’s attitude to East Germany. Recognized it as a separate country.

12
Q

Why did people criticize Adenauer’s approach to governing the FRG?

A

➕SPD and FDP objected the ‘chancellor democracy’
➕appointed weak ministers who he treated as advisers not equals
➕his goals of European integration held back German unification
➕moves to restrict opposition countered the spirit of the basic law
➕criticized for year zero approach. too many ex-Nazi’s in government

13
Q

What evidence is there that Adenauer was running counter to the democratic principles of the Basic law?

A

➕1961 - tried to set up gov controlled TV station

➕1962 Der Spiegel journalists arrested

14
Q

Which chancellors succeeded Adenauer?

A
Erhard
Kiesinger
Brandt
Schmidt
Kohl
15
Q

When was Kohl in power?

A

1963-66

16
Q

Wheb was Kiesinger in power?

A

1966-69

17
Q

When was Brandt in power?

A

1969-74

18
Q

when was Schmidt in power?

A

1974-82

19
Q

when was Kohl in power?

A

1982-98

20
Q

what happened during Erhard’s chancellorship? (1963-66)

A

he continued Adenauer’s ‘Atlantist’ policies

21
Q

Why did the CDU become increasinly divided in the 1960s?

A
split between Atlanticists (want work with the west) 
and Gaullists (want focus on German unification)
22
Q

What happened during Kiesinger’s chancellorship?

A

➕rising opposition pushed gov to be more repressive e.g. Emergency law 1968
➕shift towards Ostpolitik

23
Q

What happened during Brandt’s chancellorship?

A

➕continued Ostpolitik met resistance in the Bundestag, as he past liberal measures e.g. decriminalization of homosexuality
➕won a vote of no confidence and called an early general election where he won most seats
➕1974: found that one of his advisors was a spy and he felt compelled to resign

24
Q

What happened during Schmidt’s chancellorship?

A

➕period of domestic and economic upheaval
➕facwed growing oppsotiuon due to right wing and weak economic measures
➕opposition from Green party
➕1982 vote of no confidence. forced to resign

25
Q

What happened during Kohl’s chancellorship?

A

➕continued ostopolitik and econiomic policies
➕outbreak of terrorism
➕worked for unification of Germany
- 1989 East Germany relaxed its travel restrictions