West Germany 1949-63
- Created by: evecrowley17
- Created on: 04-04-18 15:33
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- West Germany 1949-63
- Bonn Republic
- Occupation Statute
- still under control of occupying Western powers
- Basic Law (new constitution)
- emphasis on civil rights (above constitution and inalienable)
- Federal president/ head of state
- limited power (ceremonial); elected by parliament + only 1 re-election
- Parliament
- Bundestag
- lower chamber/federal parliament; approved by Chancellor; controlled gov w 'constructive vote of no confidence'
- Bundesrat
- upper chamber/federal council; participated in legislation in approving acts + election of federal court judges
- Bundestag
- Federal gov
- strong position (Chancellor responsible to Bundestag; removed with no confidence vote + needed majority for new gov)
- Electoral system
- party pluralism (constitution essential to functioning democracy)
- mixed-member PR + 5% hurdle (fewer parties + more stable)
- plebiscites + referendums banned
- Occupation Statute
- Party politics
- CDU + Adenauer
- problems
- recession despite currency reform (unemploy. 13%)
- millions of houses needed to accommodate refugees + expelles
- still under Occupation Statute (only allies could provide some gov aspects e.g. trade)
- aims
- Western integration
- GR question (thought reunif. had to be on Western capitalist terms; magnet theory as beacon of liberal democracy)
- economic policy
- social unity to counter threat of comm.
- problems
- KPD banned 1956
- SPD
- Marxist socialism until 1959
- Bad Godesberg conference (new programme based on liberal economy but focused on social justice + freedom in capitalist democracy)
- Marxist socialism until 1959
- 1949
- coalition CDU, FDP + others (31%)
- 1953
- coalition CDU + FDP (45%)
- 1957
- CDU majority (50%)
- 1961
- coalition CDU + FDP (45%; FDP + SPD peaked)
- FDP
- liberal, balance between CDU + SPD in coalition govs
- minor parties gradually integrated into major
- CDU + Adenauer
- 'Economic miracle'
- Erhard + 'social market economy'
- neo-liberal theory (relatively free from gov control)
- 'father of the economic miracle'
- 'third way' between capitalism and socialism
- initial recession
- prices outstripped wages despite currency reform and abolition of price controls
- shortage of resources led to balance of payments deficit
- not enough demand + 13% unemployment
- economic boom
- 1951 Korean war acted as stimulus (new markets for goods)
- by 1952 economy improved
- average growth of 8% GNP/year (im./exports profits)
- 1954, 3rd biggest trading power
- 1950-55 GNP almost x2
- increased production linked to massive growth of motorisation
- full employment until 1970s (expansion led to creation of jobs)
- farmers had mixed results
- employment fell from 23-13% (but mechanisation increased production by 25%)
- advantages
- inherited extensive resources from Ruhr
- limited wartime damage + no reparations
- Marshall Aid ($1.5b)
- other key factors in 1951-66
- world trade
- US reduced tariffs, Korean war, Marshall aid helped OEEC open European markets (helped integrate)
- ECSC + EEC gave further support
- refugees
- supply of qualified + motivated employees from GDR (satisfied w moderate incomes)
- industrial peace
- laws encouraged TU ownership + led to better relations (20y)
- consumption demand
- increasing prosperity due to rising confidence (incentives e.g. subsidised saving programmes)
- financial stability
- 1947 restructured to federal bank (Bundesbank) to control circulation
- gov expenditure
- no reparations + little defence costs (more social spending to increase stability)
- world trade
- Erhard + 'social market economy'
- FRG Society
- social policies
- social redress
- Wiedergutmachung
- compensation to survivors w/i GR capacity (needed to achieve respect from West)
- but claimed 'moral obligation> responsibility'
- compensation to survivors w/i GR capacity (needed to achieve respect from West)
- 1951, Law 131 (restore employment + pension rights to civil servants)
- helped middle-classes but re-employed Nazi sympathisers
- Wiedergutmachung
- integration of TU
- 1951 co-determination law gave workers rep. on managerial boards + work council
- 1949 GR Fed. of TU (DGB); umbrella organisation to co-ord union activies
- welfare
- reinst. Weimar model but expanded
- unemployment benefits, insurance, pensions (60% of final earnings), family welfare (1954 child benefits)
- subsidised building sector
- 6m flats built 1949-61 (1/2 social housing)
- reinst. Weimar model but expanded
- social redress
- women
- legal status increased (Basic Law + 1957 Law of Equality of the Sexes furthered emancipation)
- workforce seen as advantage in admin sectors
- but patriarchal ethos
- 40% less pay, social welfare focused on preserving family>equality
- education
- allies couldn't agree on common policy + regional authorities rejected proposals
- 1949 responsibility passed to Landers
- system not significantly changed but practical issues
- lack of buildings and appropriate teaching meaterial, large classes (many teachers killed)
- system not significantly changed but practical issues
- 1950 no clear procedure (schulchaos)
- limited changes e.g. 1958 fee abolition
- limitations due to
- economic prosperity disguising edu. weakness
- anti-comm. suspicions (didn't want to replicate GDR)
- Lander unable to overcome differences + create national policy
- social changes
- consumers' society
- 1955, 20% lived on subsistence level + 11% owned fridge
- rise in wages + living standards led to material prosperity (63% owned fridge 1962)
- 1955, 20% lived on subsistence level + 11% owned fridge
- desire for stability
- 'without me' mentality (wanted normality to make up for lost time)
- somewhat rejected military, politics etc. (e.g. controversy over re militarisation) in favour of family life, work etc.
- 'without me' mentality (wanted normality to make up for lost time)
- US influence
- traditional culture + class divisions declined w rise of US mass culture during occupation
- modern industrial society
- booming economy + tech led to social mobility away from rural areas (agricultural sector declined)
- expansion in transport + more jobs
- homogenisation of middle classes > classless society
- booming economy + tech led to social mobility away from rural areas (agricultural sector declined)
- consumers' society
- social policies
- Foreign relations
- economic integration
- Petersberg Agreement
- allowed to join IRA
- limited Allies dismantling industry
- right to est. diplomatic relations
- join European Council 1950
- allowed to join IRA
- ECSC
- 1950 Schuman plan led to foundation of ECSC w 6 members
- common policies + lifted restrictions
- French saw benefits of co-op (overtook IRA)
- 1950 Schuman plan led to foundation of ECSC w 6 members
- EEC
- ECSC success (coal + steel production 44% increase)
- 1957 Treaty of Rome integrated futher
- customs union to harmonise trade + prices (common market)
- other organisations e.g. GATT, OEEC, IMF
- Petersberg Agreement
- military and political integraion
- European Defence Community
- resopnse to comm. China + Korean war
- Adenauer would agree if gained sovereignty
- Paris Treaties
- sovereignty 1955
- WEU (Western Euro. Union) allowed for armed forces
- 1955 joined NATO
- France agreed Saar return to GR
- 1963 French-German treaty (basis for political co-op)
- Paris Treaties
- US wanted Europe to contribute more to own defence
- accepted by West but discontent at remilit. + lost reunification
- European Defence Community
- relations w GDR + USSR
- Stalin notes
- during EDC negotiations
- offered to settle GR question allowing for peace treaty + united GR, removal of foreign troops (neutral state)
- Adenauer + US rejected ('weak state=comm. power')
- Hallstein doctrine
- FRG wouldn't est. diplomatic relations w any country recognising GDR as a state
- Stalin notes
- international context
- Cold war tensions (Korean war, Soviet atomic bomb) + FRG at centre
- Adenauer's aims
- establishing sovereignty, united Europe protected by US, mistrusted Soviets
- problems
- Occupation Statute, Inter. Ruhr Authority, status of Saar
- economic integration
- Adenauer's final years
- 1961 TV dispute
- set up national TV company but controlled by federal gov
- SPD claimed it a threat to media freedom
- declared unconstitutional and dissolved
- 1961 election and new coalition
- misjudged mood during Berlin Wall erection and cont. campaigning over visiting
- CDU won but w/o majority so needed FDP coalition
- agreed if Adenauer resigned w/i 4 year period
- Der Spiegel affair 1962
- LW magazine criticised CSU leader Strauss
- published article at time of CMC on planned NATO manoeuvres
- offices raided and closed and charged w treason and corruption
- saved coalition by sacking Strauss but accepted no personal responsibility
- foreign relations and differences with Erhard
- inflexible towards eastern bloc (e.g. not recognising GDR, Hallstein doctrine etc.)
- suspicions towards US and GB intentions claashed with FDP and pro-US faction led by Erhard ('Atlanticists')
- Oct 1963 resignation with Erhard as successor after CDU lost votes and SPD coalition suggested
- remained CDU leader until 1966 (died 1967)
- 'chancellor democracy'
- framed by personality and transient phase/circumstances of 1950s
- 1960s position in decline especially after Der Spiegel and no longer in tune with socio-economic developments
- 1961 TV dispute
- Bonn Republic
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