Adenauer As Chancellor

• Adenauers Aims in the 1950s:

  • Western Integration
  • the German question
  • economic policy
  • social aspects
• Western integration:

  Adenauer mistrusted and feared the Soviets and looked for protection in the West.
• The German Question:

  He believed that Western reunification had to be on the terms of maintaining a Western capitalistic state. Publically assured people that reunification was close to his heart but wouldn't give into communism.
• Economic Policy:

  Wanted to create economic stability. The Korean War helped spur the economy out of a recession, the boom created was shaped by Erhard's social market. Create a free market
• The fall of Adenauer:

  • Spring 1959 - Heuss (first President) gave up his presidency. Although Adenauer originally went for it, he withdrew due to Chancellor having more power over the continuing of his policies
  • He was more concerned than the finance minister would become the chancellor - lost sympathy with the public as he was seen as tarnishing the position of chancellorship
  • at 83 years old he lost the pinnacle of his political career
• TV Dispute:

  • Set up national tb company - Deutschland Fernsehen -GmbH
  • effectively state controlled
  • SPD claimed that it was a threat to the freedom of the Media
  • Feb 1961 - the company was declared unconstitutional - dissolved
  • accused of undermining federalism
• 1961 election and the new coalition:

  • economy was growing well and many Germans remained cautious of supporting the youthful SPD leader Willy Brandt - meaning that the CDU was confident in winning the 1961 election
  • Misjudged the situation with the Berlin Wall - attacked Brandt who was mayor of West Berlin - gained sympathy
  • Won but only with 45% which was not an absolute majority - wend with the FDP who had 12%
  • FDP often opposed Adenauer
• Der Spiegel Affair:

  • politcally left wing magazine
  • criticised CSU leader Strauss, who was appointed minister of defence. He was a hardliner
  • 1962 - Cuban Missile Crisis - the magazine published that NATO would get involved (warsaw pact) - attacked Strauss
  • key people attacked - charged with public treason
  • Adenaur defended Strauss - politically wounded