4.1: The FRG (West Germany): 1949-1963 POLITICAL STABILITY Impacts of Crisis: Freedom of the press questioned. Strauss
criticised for censorship but Adenauer defended. 5 FDP Govt.
Problems inherited in 1949 members resigned, Strauss sacked + charges against journalist
dropped. Adenauer agreed to resign in 1963: lacked judgement
POLITICS – THE BASICS 1945: G defeated, occupied, post-war worse than 1918, low and behaved arrogantly. Too politically wounded
morale
The Basic Law Economy: Marshall plan, Deutschmark/currency reform, Evaluation/Judgement – Why did Adenauer fall from power?
1949-50=recession, 2m unemployed (13%), rising inflation
FRG Constitution, creating a federal/democratic state based upon W.R. Politically: Chaos since 1918, uncertainty, FRG not
constitution with greater improvements + safeguards. Committed to work Domestic factors, getting old + an inflexible policy towards the 'Eastern
sovereign
towards full G unity + recognise all G people - designed to be provisional Bloc'. FP very successful but failed to adapt - enforced Hallstein Doctrine +
Socially: Housing problems, change, reform refused to recognise GDR. Adenauer's approach to Berlin crisis criticised by
pending a proper constitution upon unification. Drawn up by Germans + FP: Outcasts, liability, cold war era = rehabilitation
guided by allies - aim was decentralisation + democratisation. FDP + Pro-American CDU branch 'The Atlanticists' - sought Erhard as
Chancellor. 1963 CDU lost votes in lander + resigned but kept seat.
Weimar Republic The Basic Law Remained as CDU Leader until 1966.
Head of President every 7 President every 5 years, German Unification vs European Reintegration
State years, power to elected by a representative THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE
appoint/dismiss convention - largely symbolic Chose European integration: actively faced West + abandoned the
Chancellor + Article 48 w. no emergency powers East. Adopted 'magnet theory' of governance - attract Germans to The Economic Miracle: Economic boom 1952-'66. Annual growth rate avg.
Head of Chancellor Chancellor appointed by Pres. come to FRG + 'vote with their feet'. A Western liberal 8% (1951-65) + 12% in 1955. GNP almost x2 1950-55. By 1960 risen
Govt. appointed/dismissed with support of Parl. Only democracy/catholic - supports Europe nearly another 50%. Balance of trade positive + exports grew. 1954: FRG
by President dismissed via VONC with a 3rd largest trading power. Employment rose - 1m (4.2%) in 1955 to full
named viable successor SPD Decline: Old social democratic values: Party of W/C + heavy on employment in late 1950s. Growth in wages - incomes rose 400% 1949-
Upper Reichsrat Bundesrat (more admin tasks nationalisation outdated in '50s. Opposed Adenauer/CDU: Most G 63.
Chamber but some powers of veto) supported CDU due to 'Economic miracle' + Western reintegration on
Lower Reichstag, deputies Bundestag, deputies every 4 the world stage. Ludwig Erhard: An Economic advisor in Bizonia, appointed Minister of
Chamber every 4 years via PR years. Each voter 2 votes: 1 Economic Affairs in the FRG 1949-1963. Chancellor 1963-1966. Presided
(all men + women 20+ for party via PR, 1 for named SDP Leader Schumacher died 1952 + replaced with Ollenhauer: not over the economic miracle + his social market economy policies
vote). Could bring local rep via FPTP. 5% hurdle popular. Growing fear of communism: SPD committed to a Marxist
down Chancellor's in 1953 = no party allowed that ideology. CDU 'no experiments' + steady centre ground appealed to a A Social Market Economy
gov. via VONC was not committed to traumatised electorate.
democracy. Aims: To construct a 'third' way method between unrestrained capitalism +
Regional Regional lander each 16 Regional lander had a local Adenauer / CDU’s Decline an over-regulated socialist economy, that would raise consumption +
Govt. had a local govt. Govt. Elections of 69 members subsequent economic growth. Did not oppose state intervention BUT
for Bundesrat. had autonomy Reasons disagreed with total control. Aimed to combine political/economic freedom
over culture, education, local with social justice + security
govt. Ensured limited 1959 Presidential Election: FRG Theodor Heuss resigns -
indoctrination by central govt. Adenauer poised to replace. Agrees, then removes Result: Economic boom BUT not immediate - currency reform/abolition of
Civil Freedom of Freedom of expression, nomination: fears lack of influence. Lost public price controls freed economy to begin consumerism again. 1949-50: Steep
Liberties expression, association, assembly + support/sympathy rise in prices BUT not wages. Shortage of resources to rebuild industry =
association, assembly movement. Rights listed as
reliance on imports. 1951: Korean war = economic stimulus/demand for G
+ movement. Could be inalienable - can't be 1961 Berlin Wall: Decided not to visit for a full week.
goods. 1952-56: Economic growth always above 3%, reaching 12% in
suspended/abolished suspended/abolished. Opposition SPD Leader Willy Brandt, Mayor of Berlin,
via 2/3 majority in Parl. 1955
visited immediately + won public sympathy.
Evaluation/Judgement
Factors leading to the Economic Miracle
1961 Election: CDU won 45.3% BUT lost majority -
A strengthened political system + stable democratic framework. Strong coalition with FDP on condition Adenauer wouldn't seek a Marshall Aid: Stimulated economy at first. $2B by Oct 1954:
chancellor + weak president. 5% rule preventing extremist parties. Federal 4th term. Economy strong. SPD Leader seen as youthful + BUT 1948-49 less than 5% of FRG income. Invested money into
system a mixed voting system ensured greater, but safeguarded, reps. inexperienced. Adenauer misjudged public feeling over the rebuilding industry - multiplier effect
Berlin Wall
Role of Konrad Adenauer
Bizonia Policies: Currency reform = reduced inflation/ended the
1962 Spiegel Crisis: A left-wing political paper that black market. Removal of price + wage/production controls =
Who: Chancellor of FRG 1949-1963. Devout Roman Catholic + lawyer by published article questioning CSU Defence Minister Franz-
practice. Believed in 'small steps' + 'no experiments' for an era of stability. allowed free competition + prevented strikes. Tax reductions
THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE CONT.
Mayor of Cologne 1917-1933: dismissed in '33 and arrested in '44
Joseph Strauss'
FOREIGN integrity: presented as a hardliner in favour
POLICY SOCIAL
stimulated POLICY
growth. BUT: '49-50 recession = not enough demand
of pre-emptive nuclear strike. Discussed NATO planned to sustain growth
(accused of Op. Valkyrie) military manoeuvres in event of Warsaw Pact attack.
Factors Cont. Aims Problem Solution Impacts
Offices of magazines searched/closed. Publishers/journalist Erhard’s SME: Free economy with a social conscience. Chose
Rise to power: 1949: CDU 139 seats, FDP 52. Form coalition - Theodor Socio- Exacerbatedliberalism
The Equalisations of Burdens Raisedended
DM143b over
Heuss (FDP Korean War:
Leader) newIncreased demands
President. fornew
Adenauer goods the
Chancellor. CDU:
arrested + charged with treason/corruption for publishing over nationalism. State controls but not30
economic by heavy Law 1952 - tax on years, easing social tensions
Ruhr could (1) Establish sovereignty: directly
secret info controlled via Allied High unrestrained capitalism - 'prosperity for all'
1953, 243 seats. 1957,produce - took
270. 1961, 242.advantage + FRG inequality destruction of commercial/domestic properties + helping those worst off.
Commission. (2) Economic integration with Western Europe: Cold
exports doubled. Reduced pressure on Erhard to property unscathed + proceeds to families
war = east vs west. (3) G rearmament + strong defence policy: suffering heavy losses.
abandon social market economy approach.
criticised for censorship but Adenauer defended. 5 FDP Govt.
Problems inherited in 1949 members resigned, Strauss sacked + charges against journalist
dropped. Adenauer agreed to resign in 1963: lacked judgement
POLITICS – THE BASICS 1945: G defeated, occupied, post-war worse than 1918, low and behaved arrogantly. Too politically wounded
morale
The Basic Law Economy: Marshall plan, Deutschmark/currency reform, Evaluation/Judgement – Why did Adenauer fall from power?
1949-50=recession, 2m unemployed (13%), rising inflation
FRG Constitution, creating a federal/democratic state based upon W.R. Politically: Chaos since 1918, uncertainty, FRG not
constitution with greater improvements + safeguards. Committed to work Domestic factors, getting old + an inflexible policy towards the 'Eastern
sovereign
towards full G unity + recognise all G people - designed to be provisional Bloc'. FP very successful but failed to adapt - enforced Hallstein Doctrine +
Socially: Housing problems, change, reform refused to recognise GDR. Adenauer's approach to Berlin crisis criticised by
pending a proper constitution upon unification. Drawn up by Germans + FP: Outcasts, liability, cold war era = rehabilitation
guided by allies - aim was decentralisation + democratisation. FDP + Pro-American CDU branch 'The Atlanticists' - sought Erhard as
Chancellor. 1963 CDU lost votes in lander + resigned but kept seat.
Weimar Republic The Basic Law Remained as CDU Leader until 1966.
Head of President every 7 President every 5 years, German Unification vs European Reintegration
State years, power to elected by a representative THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE
appoint/dismiss convention - largely symbolic Chose European integration: actively faced West + abandoned the
Chancellor + Article 48 w. no emergency powers East. Adopted 'magnet theory' of governance - attract Germans to The Economic Miracle: Economic boom 1952-'66. Annual growth rate avg.
Head of Chancellor Chancellor appointed by Pres. come to FRG + 'vote with their feet'. A Western liberal 8% (1951-65) + 12% in 1955. GNP almost x2 1950-55. By 1960 risen
Govt. appointed/dismissed with support of Parl. Only democracy/catholic - supports Europe nearly another 50%. Balance of trade positive + exports grew. 1954: FRG
by President dismissed via VONC with a 3rd largest trading power. Employment rose - 1m (4.2%) in 1955 to full
named viable successor SPD Decline: Old social democratic values: Party of W/C + heavy on employment in late 1950s. Growth in wages - incomes rose 400% 1949-
Upper Reichsrat Bundesrat (more admin tasks nationalisation outdated in '50s. Opposed Adenauer/CDU: Most G 63.
Chamber but some powers of veto) supported CDU due to 'Economic miracle' + Western reintegration on
Lower Reichstag, deputies Bundestag, deputies every 4 the world stage. Ludwig Erhard: An Economic advisor in Bizonia, appointed Minister of
Chamber every 4 years via PR years. Each voter 2 votes: 1 Economic Affairs in the FRG 1949-1963. Chancellor 1963-1966. Presided
(all men + women 20+ for party via PR, 1 for named SDP Leader Schumacher died 1952 + replaced with Ollenhauer: not over the economic miracle + his social market economy policies
vote). Could bring local rep via FPTP. 5% hurdle popular. Growing fear of communism: SPD committed to a Marxist
down Chancellor's in 1953 = no party allowed that ideology. CDU 'no experiments' + steady centre ground appealed to a A Social Market Economy
gov. via VONC was not committed to traumatised electorate.
democracy. Aims: To construct a 'third' way method between unrestrained capitalism +
Regional Regional lander each 16 Regional lander had a local Adenauer / CDU’s Decline an over-regulated socialist economy, that would raise consumption +
Govt. had a local govt. Govt. Elections of 69 members subsequent economic growth. Did not oppose state intervention BUT
for Bundesrat. had autonomy Reasons disagreed with total control. Aimed to combine political/economic freedom
over culture, education, local with social justice + security
govt. Ensured limited 1959 Presidential Election: FRG Theodor Heuss resigns -
indoctrination by central govt. Adenauer poised to replace. Agrees, then removes Result: Economic boom BUT not immediate - currency reform/abolition of
Civil Freedom of Freedom of expression, nomination: fears lack of influence. Lost public price controls freed economy to begin consumerism again. 1949-50: Steep
Liberties expression, association, assembly + support/sympathy rise in prices BUT not wages. Shortage of resources to rebuild industry =
association, assembly movement. Rights listed as
reliance on imports. 1951: Korean war = economic stimulus/demand for G
+ movement. Could be inalienable - can't be 1961 Berlin Wall: Decided not to visit for a full week.
goods. 1952-56: Economic growth always above 3%, reaching 12% in
suspended/abolished suspended/abolished. Opposition SPD Leader Willy Brandt, Mayor of Berlin,
via 2/3 majority in Parl. 1955
visited immediately + won public sympathy.
Evaluation/Judgement
Factors leading to the Economic Miracle
1961 Election: CDU won 45.3% BUT lost majority -
A strengthened political system + stable democratic framework. Strong coalition with FDP on condition Adenauer wouldn't seek a Marshall Aid: Stimulated economy at first. $2B by Oct 1954:
chancellor + weak president. 5% rule preventing extremist parties. Federal 4th term. Economy strong. SPD Leader seen as youthful + BUT 1948-49 less than 5% of FRG income. Invested money into
system a mixed voting system ensured greater, but safeguarded, reps. inexperienced. Adenauer misjudged public feeling over the rebuilding industry - multiplier effect
Berlin Wall
Role of Konrad Adenauer
Bizonia Policies: Currency reform = reduced inflation/ended the
1962 Spiegel Crisis: A left-wing political paper that black market. Removal of price + wage/production controls =
Who: Chancellor of FRG 1949-1963. Devout Roman Catholic + lawyer by published article questioning CSU Defence Minister Franz-
practice. Believed in 'small steps' + 'no experiments' for an era of stability. allowed free competition + prevented strikes. Tax reductions
THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE CONT.
Mayor of Cologne 1917-1933: dismissed in '33 and arrested in '44
Joseph Strauss'
FOREIGN integrity: presented as a hardliner in favour
POLICY SOCIAL
stimulated POLICY
growth. BUT: '49-50 recession = not enough demand
of pre-emptive nuclear strike. Discussed NATO planned to sustain growth
(accused of Op. Valkyrie) military manoeuvres in event of Warsaw Pact attack.
Factors Cont. Aims Problem Solution Impacts
Offices of magazines searched/closed. Publishers/journalist Erhard’s SME: Free economy with a social conscience. Chose
Rise to power: 1949: CDU 139 seats, FDP 52. Form coalition - Theodor Socio- Exacerbatedliberalism
The Equalisations of Burdens Raisedended
DM143b over
Heuss (FDP Korean War:
Leader) newIncreased demands
President. fornew
Adenauer goods the
Chancellor. CDU:
arrested + charged with treason/corruption for publishing over nationalism. State controls but not30
economic by heavy Law 1952 - tax on years, easing social tensions
Ruhr could (1) Establish sovereignty: directly
secret info controlled via Allied High unrestrained capitalism - 'prosperity for all'
1953, 243 seats. 1957,produce - took
270. 1961, 242.advantage + FRG inequality destruction of commercial/domestic properties + helping those worst off.
Commission. (2) Economic integration with Western Europe: Cold
exports doubled. Reduced pressure on Erhard to property unscathed + proceeds to families
war = east vs west. (3) G rearmament + strong defence policy: suffering heavy losses.
abandon social market economy approach.
