history germany essay plans

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Cards (97)

  • foreign relations
    failed to adapt to the new environment and remained committed to non-renegotiation of the GDR, the Hallstein Doctrine, and Strauss' leadership as defence minister.
    Adenauer was suspicious of Britian and USA over the Berlin crisis- opposed by FDP and strong pro-american faction within the CDU led by Erhard which became known as the 'Atlanticists
  • Der Spiegel Affair
    der spiegel had long criticized Strauss since his appointment as minster of defence:
    dubious financial dealings
    political stance on foreign relations
    on 10th october 1962 (same month as cuban missile crisis) , Der Spiegel published an article with information about planned NATO military manoeuvres in the event of an attack by the warsaw pact, which questioned the integrity of strauss
    the magazine offices were shut down, the publisher and some journalists were arrested and charged with public treason and corruption
    strauss was harassed widely for endorsing censorship methods reminiscent of the Nazis
    five FDP members left the cabinet demanding the resignation of strauss
    adenaurer didn't take blame or responsibility even when the government's charges were kicked out by the court
  • the 1961 election and the new coalition

    the polls suggested they would win
    when the berlin wall was erected instead of hurrying to the scene of the emerging concrete wall along the border he carried on campaigning and did not visit berlin until a week later
    in the end they won the lection again- without an absolute majority they were obliged to enter into negotiations with the FDP
    agreement: coalition government under the condition that adenaurer would step down before the end of the four year period- humiliating to accept
  • the TV dispute
    he set up a television company called Deutschland-Fernsehen-GmbH which was controlled by the fed gov
    SPD claimed the company was a threat to German federalism and freedom of the media
    feb 1961 declared unconstitutional by the constitutional court and dissolved
  • assess the reasons for the fall of adenauer

    the TV dispute
    the 1961 election and the new coalition
    der spiegel affair
    foreign relations
  • Number of people fleeing from the GDR to the West
    Response to collectivisation in the 1950s:
    Many farmers abandoned their farms. It is estimated that 13% of agricultural land was deserted.
    This led to a drop in the supply of food to cities.
    Many farmers emigrated to West Germany.
    Food production declined; Rationing was reintroduced in 1961.

    The neglect of consumer industries (low standard of living) and nationalisation was catastrophic as citizens compared their lives to the 'capitalist heaven' of west Germany

    Not an issue after 1961
  • The uprising of 1953
    16th June building workers in east berlin assembled a peaceful protest march against the norms- expanded to political demands like reunification and also food shortages
    17th June 100,000 protestors on the streets of east berlin. It spread to over 500 cities and between 200,000 to 300,000 people protesting.
    Made a 12-point manifesto with some points being free speech and the freedom of press, free elections for all of Germany and the withdrawal of all occupation troops
    Attempt to overcome catastrophic economic situation and challenge the 10% rise in norms implemented in May
    Soviet forces came and re-established order on behalf of Ulbricht and there were an estimated 20-50 casualties

    Poor organisation- spontaneous without any co-ordinated planning. Some strike committees were formed but the statements formulated were printed on the day
  • Which of the following was the greater threat to the stability of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the years from 1949 to 1963? (i) The uprising of 1953 (ii) (ii) The numbers of people fleeing from the GDR to the West.

    The uprising of 1953
    Number of people fleeing from the GDR to the West
  • political policy
    Fully transformed under the policy of 'democratic centralism'- main power was with the general secretary of the SED.
    The democracy was not in line with the west but it restored faith as they believed they were building an anti-fascist society that would shake off the horrors of the Nazi past that had arisen from the capitalist system
    In the first 2 years of the GDR, Ulbricht, with the backing of the Soviet secret police, removed over 150,000 party members

    Communists not sympathetic to the Stalinist line were put on show trials and removed from the party or even imprisoned

    Although the leading figures of CDUD and LDPD did join the government they had little influence

    Pressured people to vote in elections and massaged figures

    The number of citizens who had voted with their feet had increased from 75,000 in 1949 to 171,000 in 1952

    New leader of USSR Khrushchev proclaimed de-Stalinisation
  • social policy
    Education and youth - created a state-controlled school system based on socialist ideas. Wanted to establish a strong commitment to socialism and ensure that the youth would also be socialists. To do this they abolished private schools and introduced a centralised curriculum with new textbooks.
    From 1951 to 1958 the number of unis and colleges had gone from 21 to 46 and the number of students doubles to 60,000

    Alternative youth culture, which marked a lack of impact of GDR policies amongst many young people. Many copied the western lifestyle by wearing genes and listening to rock and roll.

    Initially, the church condemned children in the Youth Dedication Service to eternal damnation.
    However, they eventually conceded that the service did not clash with Christian faith.
    The Church was forced to cooperate with the state.
  • economic policy
    Collectivisation-a fundamental principle of developing a communist planned economy and the policy of transferring the ownership of private farmland to the state.
    Short term impacts of collectivisation - Food production declined; Rationing was reintroduced in 1961.

    nationalization of major industries, including mining, energy, and transportation. This policy helped the GDR establish economic self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on foreign countries.

    The ideal woman in East Germany was a mother but also a worker.
    E.g., the Two-Year Plan of 1949 required 250,000 more workers, the majority of which were women.

    In May 1953 in an effort to meet the planned economic targets to match the FRG the gov proposed a 10% rise in the norms (productivity)
    16 June building workers assembled for a peaceful protest march against norms which turned into a protest against government policy. 17th 100,000 protesters on the streets of east berlin- majority industrial workers
  • The policies of the government of the German Democratic Republic transformed East German society in the years 1949-1963.' How far do you agree?
    Economic policy
    Social policy
    Political policy
  • GDR
    Response to collectivisation in the 1950s:
    Many farmers abandoned their farms. It is estimated that 13% of agricultural land was deserted.
    This led to a drop in the supply of food to cities.
    Many farmers emigrated to West Germany.
    Food production declined; Rationing was reintroduced in 1961.
    In 1958, one-third of East German farms were collectivised.
    In 1960 and 1961 there was a renewed effort to collectivise land in East Germany.
    The consequence of not collectivising became more extreme.
    E.g. farmers were not allowed to use state machinery.
    Eventually, the state started arresting farmers and confiscating lands.
    By 1962, 85% of farms were collectivised.

    The First Five Year Plan, 1951 to develop heavy industry- set production targets, controlled all aspects of workers lives, and nationalised industries
    Officially, the state declared that between 1950 and 1955, industrial productivity levels had risen by 100%.
    However, this statistic does not take profitability or quality into account.
    Arguably, the quantitative aim meant goods were of a poor quality and not profitable.
    Consumer goods were not a priority meaning low standard of living

    The Second Five Year Plan was introduced in 1956.
    The policy placed emphasis on producing consumer goods and technological progress.
    Between 1956 and 1958, the economy grew by 12%.
    Living standards improved (however rationing continued until 1958).
    Workers benefitted from low food prices. The number of workers leaving for the West stabilised. However, this was due to state subsidies which meant the state could not invest in other industries.
    Although the economy was growing, it was not matching the scale of growth in the West. Thus, East Germany was falling behind.

    New economic system 1963
    Profits incentivised workers to be more productive.
    Quality also became a priority, instead of quantity.
    By the early 1960s, the GDR's levels of growth were better than other countries in the Eastern Bloc.

    The Seven Year Plan was introduced in 1959- Industrial growth fell under the plan. This led to rising numbers emigrating to West Germany until the erection of the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall led to harsher conditions for workers, as the state did not fear emigration.
    East Germany's economy was being influenced by the Soviet Union's economic needs. This means it was not a balanced, diverse economy which had sustainable growth.
  • FRG
    Marshall Plan provided the economic context for recovery
    German exports received another boost by the creation of the ECSC in 1951 and foundation of the EEC
    Balance of trade quickly turned positive from 1952 because of Germany's rapid growth of exports
    refugees from the GDR provided a continuous supply of qualified, disciplined and highly motivated employees to the labour market who were easily satisfied with moderate incomes
    1952 FRG signed an agreement in London to pay debts from the Marshall Plan credits and the Dawes Plan so it did not have to pay reparations and its defence costs were limited as it was only allowed to form an army in 1955 after joining NATO so Erhard was more generous with social spending
    unemployment went down to just 1 million by 1955 and within in a few years Germany enjoyed a period of full employment which did not really end until the early 70s
    The FRG's GNP (gross national product) increased by 100% between 1950 and 1955

    Employment had risen by 4.2% by 1955.
    Between 1949 and 1963, incomes rose by around 400%.

    Between 1948 and 1949, the aid was only 5% of the FRG's GDP- more economicall7y stable as not reliant on foreign finance

    The economy benefitted from the Korean War.
    This is because the FRG profited from greater demand for Ruhr goods.
    Competitor nations could not supply war materials. Meaning that Federal Republic of Germany's exports increased by 100%

    The Western powers removed price controlled, implemented currency reform, encouraged free competition, and reduced marginal tax rates. This encouraged people to work and this is confirmed by the fall in absenteeism.

    However, we should remember that the benefit of policies in Bizonia did not come instantly. There were initially rising prices, which hit the poor.
  • Which of the following saw greater economic success in the period from 1949 to 1963? (i) The Federal Republic of Germany (ii) The German Democratic Republic
    FRG
    GDR
  • Marshall Plan

    pumped money and resources into European states as it was thought that instability would make countries susceptible to communist influence
  • Berlin Blockade
  • currency reform
  • The currency reform is the main reason for the division of Germany' How far do you agree?

    currency reform
    berlin blockade
    marshall plan
  • The impact of the Cold War, 1945-1949
    2.5 million civilians had no access to food, medicine, fuel, electricity and other basic goods as a result of the Blockade
    76 aircrew lost their lives in Berlin Airlift
    separate econmic development- rivalry- heavy industry prorised over consumer goods in the east
  • The impact of the Second World War, 1939-1945
    Nazis had to introduce rations on clothes food and basics. However even up until early 1944 the rations were 10% above the minimum calorific standard
    in the the final 12 months of the war food rationing led to real shortages
    workers were not able to feel any real benefit because of the government's increase in income taxes as well as the imposition of higher taxes on beer, tobacco, cinemas and travel
    working hours were increased from 52 hours in 1940 to 60 hours in 1944
    air raids left 500,000 people disabled/injured and 3.6 million homes were destroyed- 20% of total housing- overcrowding
  • Which of the following had greater consequences for the lives of German civilians in the years from 1939 to 1949?
    (i) The impact of the Second World War, 1939-1945
    (ii) The impact of the Cold War, 1945-1949
  • Achieving aims
    people in the GDR in 1963 ha become considerably more affluent compared to the citizens in 1953 and 1943 and the GDR was the most well-off of the eastern bloc states
    state provided subsidies for basic foods, rent and public transport- maintained at low prices- guaranteed full employment
  • Failure to achieve its aims
    failures of land reform: the introduction of LPG's meant collectivisation was slow and alienated large farmers. By 1953, the year of the 17 June uprising 13% of all agricultural land was not being farmed- contributed to the number of refugees to the west reaching high levels- 1958 2/3 of GDR agriculture was not collectivised. By 1948 crop and livestock yields had fallen dramatically- moved to cities or west. The refugee crisis and the failure of the government to stem this, necessitating the building of the Berlin Wall.

    The loss of the propaganda war against the West due to low standards of living and the delegitimising of the communist system as a result. Coca-Cola society attracted youth to the west. idealistic living in the west with 63% of households owning a fridge in 1962 and 42% owned a car
    standard of living: although the government established state-owned HO-shops to sell goods beyond the rationing system but these were unachievable luxuries for most
  • "The government of the German Democratic Republic entirely failed to achieve its domestic aims in the years 1949-1963." How far do you agree?
  • foreign policy
    Petersburg agreement: dismantling of industry by allies was limited, FRG gained rights to establish diplomatic relations with other states, FRG was allowed to join European council in 1950
    ECSC: agreed on common policy for prices, subsidies and investment, and lifted restrictions on trading of coal and steel between member states- laid the basis for Franco-German understanding after years of hostility- coal and steel production increase by 44% in 5 years
    EEC was created as a customs union between the six countries- by 1964 85% of West German agricultural produce came under EEC trade
    all economically important but also played a crucial role in the rehabilitation of Germany in the international community
    1963 Adenauer signed the French-German treaty with the french president, Charles de Gaulle- basis for political co-operation
  • The economy
    1955 west German economy had 12% growth
    percentage of working population unemployed almost halved from 8.1% in 1950 to 4.4% in 1955
    access to resources like coal and iron from the Ruhr region
    Marshall Plan enabled FRG to built new factories with modern machinery- stimulating the economy- boosted political morale
    Erhard's financial reforms are generally seen as the main factor- social market economy- opening the market for industrial and consumer goods and stimulating their production- between unrestrained capitalist and over regulated social economy
  • Which of the following was a greater success for the government of the Federal Republic of Germany in the years 1949-1963?
    (i) The economy (ii) Foreign policy
  • politics

    in the second election of the 953 CDU/CSU increased their share of the vote to 45.2% which because of the complicated distribution of the seats in parliament gave them an absolute majority of one seat
    'no experiments' electoral campaign
    splinter groups quickly disappeared due to 5% hurdle and the big parties proved to be more inclusive
  • economy
    1955 west German economy had 12% growth
    percentage of working population unemployed almost halved from 8.1% in 1950 to 4.4% in 1955
    access to resources like coal and iron from the Ruhr region
    Marshall Plan enabled FRG to built new factories with modern machinery- stimulating the economy- boosted political morale
    Erhard's financial reforms are generally seen as the main factor- social market economy- opening the market for industrial and consumer goods and stimulating their production- between unrestrained capitalist and over regulated social economy
  • foreign policy
    Franco-German relations had improved so much that as a result of negotiations between the two capitals it was agreed to accept the return of the Saar to the FRG in1957 as the 11th land
    Petersburg agreement: dismantling of industry by allies was limited, FRG gained rights to establish diplomatic relations with other states, FRG was allowed to join European council in 1950
    ECSC: agreed on common policy for prices, subsidies and investment, and lifted restrictions on trading of coal and steel between member states- laid the basis for Franco-German understanding after years of hostility- coal and steel production increase by 44% in 5 years
    EEC was created as a customs union between the six countries- by 1964 85% of West German agricultural produce came under EEC trade
    all economically important but also played a crucial role in the rehabilitation of Germany in the international community
    1963 Adenauer signed the French-German treaty with the french president, Charles de Gaulle- basis for political co-operation
  • The foreign policy of the Federal Republic of Germany was its greatest success in the years 1949-1963'. How far do you agree?
    foreign policy
    economy
    politics
  • Basic Law- lack of other parties

    1950s parties judged as threatening to the democracy were banned, including the right-wing Socialist Reich party and controversially the communist party
    economic miracle led to higher trust in the government
  • economic miracle
    1955 west German economy had 12% growth
    percentage of working population unemployed almost halved from 8.1% in 1950 to 4.4% in 1955
    access to resources like coal and iron from the Ruhr region
    Marshall Plan enabled FRG to built new factories with modern machinery- stimulating the economy- boosted political morale
    Erhard's financial reforms are generally seen as the main factor- social market economy- opening the market for industrial and cons55 west German economy had 12% growth
    percentage of working population unemployed almost halved from 8.1% in 1950 to 4.4% in 1955
    access to resources like coal and iron from the Ruhr region
    Marshall Plan enabled FRG to built new factories with modern machinery- stimulating the economy- boosted political morale
    Erhard's financial reforms are generally seen as the main factor- social market economy- opening the market for industrial and consumer goods and stimulating their production- between unrestrained capitalist and over regulated social economyumer goods and stimulating their production- between unrestrained capitalist and over regulated social economy
  • rapprochement with France

    Franco-German relations had improved so much that as a result of negotiations between the two capitals it was agreed to accept the return of the Saar to the FRG in1957 as the 11th land
  • The most important reason why Adenauer was able to remain in power for so long was the economic miracle.' How far do you agree?

    economic miracle
    rapprochement with France
    basic law- lack of alternative parties
  • The economic miracle
    1955 west German economy had 12% growth
    percentage of working population unemployed almost halved from 8.1% in 1950 to 4.4% in 1955
    access to resources like coal and iron from the Ruhr region
    Marshall Plan enabled FRG to built new factories with modern machinery- stimulating the economy- boosted political morale
    Erhard's financial reforms are generally seen as the main factor- social market economy- opening the market for industrial and consumer goods and stimulating their production- between unrestrained capitalist and over regulated social economy
  • Basic Law
    The head of state: federal president had mainly representative functions and their term was reduced to 5 years and they were only re-electable for one term. The president was elected by an assembly in the bundestag. no access to article 48. However, it was flawed as Adnenauer served for 14 years
    parliament: opposition not only required a majority supporting the vote of no confidence but also had to offer a stable positive majority for a new alternative government
    electoral system: mixed-member proportional representation with a 5% hurdle in Bundestag elections led to fewer parties in the bundestag and more stability
    threatening parties and organisation were banned in the 1950s including the league of German youth (extreme right-wing)
    evaluation: it is easy to assume that the Germans simply 'learned' from the mistakes of weimar however it's important to acknowledge that the economic environment was more favourable in the 50s which may contribute to the stability
  • Which was more important in ensuring stability in the Federal republic in the years 1949-1963?
    (i) The Basic Law (ii) The economic miracle
  • Strength of the Allies
    -USA entering the war as a result of the attach on Pearl Harbour in 1941
    - several military victories fr the allies in the winter of 1942-3 when rthe british won at el alamein and the soviets forced the surrender of 300,000 German troops at Stalingrad- 'Turn of the Tide