West Germany: The fate of Germany after the Second World War (1945 - 1949) Flashcards

1
Q

What was agreed at the Potsdam Conference in July and August 1945?

A
  • The Allies agreed to divide Germany into 4 “zones on occupation” run by the USA, Britain, France and the USSR.
  • The capital of Germany, Berlin was in the Soviet zone and so they divided it into 4 zones aswell.
  • Division of Germany was temporary and they would soon negotiate an final settlement for the whole of Germany.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What was the Allied Control Council (ACC) and why was it set up?

A

The ACC was set up as a governing body to oversee all 4 “zones of occupation” and make decisions across the zones, in order to keep Germany “intact” for re-unification.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Identify 2 economic problems Germany failed after WW2.

A
  • Food shortages was a severe problem. Food consumption per day dropped to between 950 and 1150 calories (as opposed to the recommended 2000 per day)
  • A lot of infrastructure (e.g. bridges, railways, gas and water facilities) and industries were damaged or had broken down and the nation was in huge debt.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What began to develop after WW2 between the Allies, and how did this affect the development of Germany?

A

After WW2 the “common enemy”, they had existed between the capitalist nations and the communist (USSR). Relations between the USSR and the #West rapidly developed into the Cold war. —->This affected the development of Germany and the divisions in Germany and Berlin became permanent.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What was the situation in Eastern Europe in 1948?

A

All Eastern European countries, except Greece, had become communist states (such as, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Identify three actions the USA took against the USSR in the years 1945 - 1949

A
  • In May 1946, the USA disallowed reparation payments from West Germany to be given to the Soviet Union.
  • In May 1947, the USA and Britain combined their ‘zones of occupation’ creating Bizonia
  • From 1948, USA introduced the Marshall Plan and began issuing economic aid to European countries including Germany’s Western ‘zones of occupation’, to re-boost the European economy and to prevent communism form taking hold in West Europe.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Identify 3 actions the USSR took against the USA in the years 1945 to 1949

A
  • On March 20 1947, the USSR left the Allied Control Council (ACC)
  • In Sep. 1948, a parliamentary council was set up to put together a new constitution for a new country not including the Soviet ‘zone of occupation’: West Germany
  • On Oct. 7 1949, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was officially announced as a new nation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When did the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic become independent states?

A
  • FRG = May 22 1949

- GDR = Oct. 7 1949

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Identify 2 reasons that explain why Germany was not reunited after WW2

A

East and West Germany served as symbols of the divided world, and the Cold War animosities between the Soviet Union and the US.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly