What was the name given to the constitution of West Germany?
Basic Law
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What initials were given to West Germany?
BRD
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Who was made Chancellor in September 1949?
Adenauer
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When did the BRD join NATO?
May 1955
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How many times was Adenauer re-elected?
3 times
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When did Adenauer resign?
15th October 1963
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Where was the capital of West Germany?
Bonn
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Who was in charge of the new constitution?
The Western occupying powers
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Who drew it up?
A parliamentary council of 65 delegates from the Lander
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What was the aim of Basic Law?
To create a stable and strong democracy and to fend off the threat of extremism in politics
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What was seen as a provisional arrangement?
Basic Law
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Why?
It was not anticipated that Germany would split and would remain so for a long time. They though that the 'two Germanies' would soon reunite.
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The constitution was built upon what?
Weimar - federal and parliamentary
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Where was there special emphasis in the constitution?
There was special emphasis on human and civil rights
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Name some features of the President's powers
His term was reduced to 5 years. He could only be re-elected once. His job was now more ceremonial .
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How was parliament designed?
It had a two-tiered structure. The Bundestag= federal parliament = lower house; Bundesrag = federal council= upper house
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What was a constructive vote of no confidence?
There had to be a majority opposing the government, but they also had to present parliament with a viable alternative
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What was pluarism?
The idea that demoncratic parties
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What was not allowed?
Referendums+ anti-democratic parties
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What election system was used?
Proportional representation and mixed membership
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What was the 5% hurdle?
The rule that states that any party with less that 5% of the total vote would not be allowed to partake in parliament
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What was the role of the new constitutional court?
To prevent any anti-democratic activities in the left/ right in the BRD
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Which parties/ organizations were banned?
KDP (1956). The League of German Youths. FDJ. SRP
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What was the socio -economic environment of West Germany in the 1950s like?
Much more favourable/ affluent
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Who were the top 4 political parties?
CDU/CSU. FDP. SPD and KDP
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With which party did Adenauer merge with to form coalitions?
FDP
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To which political party did Adenauer belong?
CDU
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Who was the first president of the BRD?
Theodor Heuss
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What problems did Adenauer face?
High unemployment. Economic difficulties 1949-50= recession. Lack of housing. How to accommodate the huge influx of refugees from E.Germany. BRD still didn't have sovereignty
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What was Adenauer's vision?
A united Germany
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What were the four key issues for Adenauer?
Economic stability. Western integration. The German question. Social reforms
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Why did Adenauer desire Western integration?
He did not trust the Soviets and looked to the West for protection. He also wanted to gain the trust of the Western powers in order to revise the restrictions the Occupational Statute asap
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What event spurred West Germany out of recession and into boom?
The Korean War 1950-3
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Why was Adenauer known as the Chancellor of the Allies?
He was very dependent of the West and did all that he could to ensure that a good rapport was maintained between West Germany and the Western powers
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Who was Erhard?
Adenauer's finance minister
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In which election did Adenauer get an absolute majority?
September 1957
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What was his campaign all about?
" No experiments- Vote Adenauer "
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What and when was the Adenauer era?
1949-63. The era in which Adenauer dominated politics in West Germany
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