1970s/80s Gov Action

• In the 1970s, chancellors Brandt and Schmidt adopted a hard line against domestic terrorism with a series of measures which many Germans saw as an overreaction.
• In 1972 Brandt authorised the use of 150000 police to track down members of the RAF.
• The Berufsverbot or Employment Ban Law passed in 1972 banned 'radicals' from public sector employment, including positions in the civil service and teaching profession, as well as jobs in the postal and railway services. Thousands who had connections to LW groups were barred from public sector employment.
• In 1973 the Bundestag implemented a range of more stringent measures against those involved in terrorist activities. For example, imprisoned members of the RAF were given long periods of solitary confinement and greatly reduced visitor rights.
• After the abduction and murder of Hanns-Martin Schleyer by the RAF in 1977, a Law Banning Contact was passed. This prevented terrorist prisoners from contacting each other in jail or their defence lawyers - which made their defence impossible. In addition, members of the RAF were barred from communicating their ideas to the public, a measure with which the media largely complied.
• By 1977, the FRG had more than 60000 people under surveillance.
• These measures were criticised by the liberal press. However, many citizens feared terrorism and supported the government's stance, arguing those with nothing to hide had nothing to fear.
• The 1980s saw the federal government focusing on extremist movements on the left and right. They still fought RAF activity but also turned their attention to far RW groups.
• The FRG Criminal Code since its inception banned Nazi insignia, such as the swastika symbols, and the dissemination of Nazi ideas. This was used in the 1980s to ban groups such as the Action Front of National Socialists/National Activists in 1983. Although these groups were vociferous, their membership was never high.