decline of Adenauer

• Der Spiegel affair, left-wing magazine criticised Strauss, leader of the CSE and minister of defence. he was attacked for various financial dealings and focus on foreign relations
• Strauss was criticised for believing in a 'strong deterrence' and fighting against communism.
• 10th October 1962 Der Spiegel affair published an article of planned NATO military manoeuvres which questioned the integrity of Strauss.
• the offices of the magazine were searched and closed down, many publishers were arrested. the defendants were charged with treason
• This created image of dictatorship and an uneven society
• the Spiegel agreement led 5 members of the FDP to leave, caused Adenauer to resignate
• The Berlin wall 1961 caused some of Adenauer's downfall as he failed to turn up for weeks which created resentment of the West Berlin as they felt ditched and lonely by the West
• he decided not to run for president in 1959, he wanted to prolong his influence however failed to run and withdrew, failed to intervene in the Berlin wall
• Willy Brandt, SPD mayor, had strong response to Berlin wall on Behalf of freedom and democracy, not Adenauer.
• Adenauer ignored the crisis and did not visit for 2 days and when he finally met in West Berlin he was greeted with Jeers.