HI136 The History of HI136 The History of GermanyGermany

Lecture 16Lecture 16

West GermanyWest Germany

The Basic LawThe Basic Law Based on 4 key principles:Based on 4 key principles:

The rule of lawThe rule of law Democratic participation for allDemocratic participation for all FederalismFederalism Social welfareSocial welfare

Established the Federal Republic of Germany as a federal parliamentary Established the Federal Republic of Germany as a federal parliamentary democracy with separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative democracy with separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government.and Judicial branches of government.

Bi-cameral parliament:Bi-cameral parliament: Bundestag – Elected every 4 years through universal suffrage. 50% of members Bundestag – Elected every 4 years through universal suffrage. 50% of members

directly elected, 50% elected through party lists. Parties need to win over 5% of directly elected, 50% elected through party lists. Parties need to win over 5% of the vote to gain representation. the vote to gain representation.

Bundesrat – Made up of representatives of the Bundesrat – Made up of representatives of the LLänderänder, has the power to approve , has the power to approve or veto legislation.or veto legislation.

President of the Republic – a largely ceremonial head of state elected by President of the Republic – a largely ceremonial head of state elected by Bundestag members & representatives of the federal Bundestag members & representatives of the federal LLänderänder. .

Chancellor – head of government & elected by the Bundestag. Can only be Chancellor – head of government & elected by the Bundestag. Can only be removed from office through a constructive vote of no confidence.removed from office through a constructive vote of no confidence.

LLänderänder have extensive powers over administration, education, law & order. have extensive powers over administration, education, law & order. Federal Constitutional Court – based on the US Supreme Court, designed Federal Constitutional Court – based on the US Supreme Court, designed

to protect the constitution and had powers to settle disputes between the to protect the constitution and had powers to settle disputes between the federal government and the federal government and the LLänderänder. .

Party PoliticsParty Politics SPD – Basically the same party which had existed since 1875. SPD – Basically the same party which had existed since 1875.

Espoused a programme calling for public ownership & a planned Espoused a programme calling for public ownership & a planned economy. Committed to reunification and opposed European economy. Committed to reunification and opposed European integration in the 1950s. From 1959 moved away from its Marxist integration in the 1950s. From 1959 moved away from its Marxist roots towards a more inclusive and moderate position.roots towards a more inclusive and moderate position.

Christlich Demokratische UnionChristlich Demokratische Union (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) – a break from the pre-1933 parties that amalgamated the – a break from the pre-1933 parties that amalgamated the constituency of the old Centre Party with a number of centre-right constituency of the old Centre Party with a number of centre-right groups. Formed in June 1945, it was based on the principles of groups. Formed in June 1945, it was based on the principles of Christian Socialism & stood for free market economics and opposed Christian Socialism & stood for free market economics and opposed economic liberalism & social democracy.economic liberalism & social democracy.

Freie Demokratische ParteiFreie Demokratische Partei (Free Democratic Party, FDP) - (Free Democratic Party, FDP) - Founded in Dec. 1948, it stood for individualism and liberalism & Founded in Dec. 1948, it stood for individualism and liberalism & appealed to those who were alienated by the socialism of the SPD appealed to those who were alienated by the socialism of the SPD & the Clericalism of the CDU. Despite its small size & limited & the Clericalism of the CDU. Despite its small size & limited electoral strength it wielded considerable power & influence, often electoral strength it wielded considerable power & influence, often acting as ‘kingmaker’. Members of the FDP served in nearly every acting as ‘kingmaker’. Members of the FDP served in nearly every federal coalition between 1949 & 1990, and it provided 2 of West federal coalition between 1949 & 1990, and it provided 2 of West Germany’s 5 Presidents.Germany’s 5 Presidents.

The 1949 Bundestag The 1949 Bundestag ElectionsElections

Party % deputies

     

CDU/CSU 31,0% 139

SPD 29,2% 131

FDP 11,9% 52

KPD/DKP 5,7% 15

DRP 1,8% 5

DP 4,0% 17

BP 4,2% 17

Zentrum 3,1% 10

Sonstige 9,1% 16

Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, Economics Minister Ludwig Erhard and

President TheodorHeuss, 1949

Election ResultsElection Results

Source: T. Kirk, Cassell’s Dictionary of Modern German History (2002)

Konrad Adenauer (1876-Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967)1967)

Born in Cologne, he was a devout Born in Cologne, he was a devout Catholic and passionate Catholic and passionate Rhinelander.Rhinelander.

1917-33: Served as mayor of 1917-33: Served as mayor of Cologne.Cologne.

1921-33: Chairman of the 1921-33: Chairman of the Prussian Council of State.Prussian Council of State.

1934: Imprisoned by the Nazis.1934: Imprisoned by the Nazis. 1948-49: Chairman of the 1948-49: Chairman of the

Parliamentary Council.Parliamentary Council. 1949-63: Chancellor of the FRG.1949-63: Chancellor of the FRG. Pragmatic & authoritarian he has Pragmatic & authoritarian he has

been compared to Bismarck and been compared to Bismarck and Stresemann.Stresemann.

Determined to integrate Germany Determined to integrate Germany into Western Europe, but did too into Western Europe, but did too little to address the problems of little to address the problems of the recent past.the recent past.

The Spiegel Affair (1962)The Spiegel Affair (1962) The affair tested limits of The affair tested limits of

freedom of the press.freedom of the press. News magazine News magazine SpiegelSpiegel had had

reported the Bundeswehr’s reported the Bundeswehr’s limited readiness for conflict limited readiness for conflict with Russians.with Russians.

SpiegelSpiegel offices were occupied offices were occupied by police, Augstein arrested, by police, Augstein arrested, as well as the article’s author.as well as the article’s author.

The Defence Minister lost his The Defence Minister lost his job after lying about his job after lying about his involvement in the arrests; involvement in the arrests; Adenauer himself only lasted Adenauer himself only lasted to 1963.to 1963.

Popular demonstrations began Popular demonstrations began to free Augstein; beginnings of to free Augstein; beginnings of widespread protest culture?widespread protest culture?Copies of Der Spiegel being confiscated from

the magazine’s offices.

West Germany after West Germany after AdenauerAdenauer

1965-69: Grand Coalition.1965-69: Grand Coalition. 1969 election: CDU = 46.1% of vote, SPD = 42.7%, FDP = 5.8% - 1969 election: CDU = 46.1% of vote, SPD = 42.7%, FDP = 5.8% -

SPD-FDP Coalition formed under Willy Brandt.SPD-FDP Coalition formed under Willy Brandt. Wide-ranging reforms: marriage & family law modernized, welfare Wide-ranging reforms: marriage & family law modernized, welfare

reform & educational reform. A response to growing unrest in the reform & educational reform. A response to growing unrest in the 1960s.1960s.

1974: Brandt forced to resign in spy scandal.1974: Brandt forced to resign in spy scandal. 1982: SPD & FDP unable to agree on a budget – vote of no-1982: SPD & FDP unable to agree on a budget – vote of no-

confidence brought the CDU’s Helmut Kohl to power.confidence brought the CDU’s Helmut Kohl to power. 1983 election: CDU won nearly 50% of the vote, the Green Party 1983 election: CDU won nearly 50% of the vote, the Green Party

emerges as a national political party with 5.4% of the vote & 27 emerges as a national political party with 5.4% of the vote & 27 deputies in the Bundestag.deputies in the Bundestag.

A move to the right in the 1980s, accompanied by efforts to cast off A move to the right in the 1980s, accompanied by efforts to cast off the stigma of Nazism & take pride in being German.the stigma of Nazism & take pride in being German.

Konrad Adenauer (CDU)1949-1963

Ludwig Erhard (CDU)1963-1966

Kurt Georg Kiessinger (CDU)1966-1969

Willy Brandt (SPD)1969-1974

Helmut Schmidt (SPD)1974-1982

Helmut Kohl (CDU)1982-1998

Why were extremist parties Why were extremist parties not successful?not successful?

Allied control: parties needed concession of High Allied control: parties needed concession of High Commissioner.Commissioner.

SRP forbidden 1951 by Federal Constitutional SRP forbidden 1951 by Federal Constitutional Court.Court.

KPD forbidden 1956 by Federal Constitutional KPD forbidden 1956 by Federal Constitutional Court.Court.

Right wing parties as Right wing parties as Bund der Heimatvertriebenen Bund der Heimatvertriebenen und Entrechtetetenund Entrechteteten (BHE) absorbed by CDU/CSU. (BHE) absorbed by CDU/CSU.

Nationalist takeover of Liberal party (FDP) Nationalist takeover of Liberal party (FDP) prevented by Allies (arrest of leaders).prevented by Allies (arrest of leaders).

Economic success story.Economic success story.

The The WirtschaftswunderWirtschaftswunder (‘economic miracle’)(‘economic miracle’)

Rapid economic growth after 1949 Rapid economic growth after 1949 Reasons for ‘economic miracle’:Reasons for ‘economic miracle’:

Introduction of the Deutschmark halted inflation.Introduction of the Deutschmark halted inflation. US investment through the Marshal Plan ($4.4 million).US investment through the Marshal Plan ($4.4 million). Large, adaptable workforce (partly made up of refugees from Eastern Europe).Large, adaptable workforce (partly made up of refugees from Eastern Europe). German determination to pull together for the national good – few disputes German determination to pull together for the national good – few disputes

between labour and capital.between labour and capital. Germany had fewer burdens on her exchequer than other powers – no overseas Germany had fewer burdens on her exchequer than other powers – no overseas

commitments, colonial wars etc.commitments, colonial wars etc. The Korean War (1950-53) increased demand for industrial goods and removed The Korean War (1950-53) increased demand for industrial goods and removed

reluctance to buy German goods – exports boomed.reluctance to buy German goods – exports boomed. Unemployment fell from 1.9 million in 1950 to 200,000 in 1961.Unemployment fell from 1.9 million in 1950 to 200,000 in 1961. GNP trebled during the 1950s, annual growth averaged just under 8%GNP trebled during the 1950s, annual growth averaged just under 8% Gap between rich and poor widened, but standards of living rose across the Gap between rich and poor widened, but standards of living rose across the

board – average income for industrial workers rose by 250% between 1950 board – average income for industrial workers rose by 250% between 1950 and 1962.and 1962.

The Social Market The Social Market EconomyEconomy

Ludwig Erhard (1897-1977), Economics Minister (1949-63) and Ludwig Erhard (1897-1977), Economics Minister (1949-63) and Chancellor (1963-66). Chancellor (1963-66).

The free market allowed to drive the economy, with minimal state The free market allowed to drive the economy, with minimal state interference.interference.

The role of the state to pick up the slack left by the market and The role of the state to pick up the slack left by the market and introduce welfare measures to cancel out the inequalities caused by introduce welfare measures to cancel out the inequalities caused by capitalism.capitalism.

General agreement that the state should provide a safety net to General agreement that the state should provide a safety net to make sure that citizens did not fall below a certain standard of living.make sure that citizens did not fall below a certain standard of living.

Equalization of Burdens Law (1950): transferred wealth from the Equalization of Burdens Law (1950): transferred wealth from the well off to provide for those who had lost everything during the war.well off to provide for those who had lost everything during the war.

Introduction of 40 hour working week.Introduction of 40 hour working week. 1957: Pensions increased & index-linked so they would keep pace 1957: Pensions increased & index-linked so they would keep pace

with cost of living.with cost of living.

Dealing with the Nazi Dealing with the Nazi LegacyLegacy

Measures to confront the Nazi Measures to confront the Nazi past limited in the 1950s.past limited in the 1950s.

Moves to compensate victims of Moves to compensate victims of National Socialism, extremist National Socialism, extremist parties banned by the parties banned by the Constitutional Court.Constitutional Court.

But many former Nazis in the civil But many former Nazis in the civil service – Hans Globke, head of service – Hans Globke, head of the Chancellors Office (1953-the Chancellors Office (1953-1963) had drafted Nazi anti-1963) had drafted Nazi anti-Semitic legislation in the 1930s.Semitic legislation in the 1930s.

The judiciary reluctant to censure The judiciary reluctant to censure sadistic Nazi judges.sadistic Nazi judges.

Damaged Germany’s reputation Damaged Germany’s reputation abroad & led to a feeling that the abroad & led to a feeling that the Germans had buried their heads in Germans had buried their heads in the sand rather than confronting the sand rather than confronting the legacy of National Socialism.the legacy of National Socialism.Hans Globke (1898-1973)

Foreign PolicyForeign Policy Adenauer’s aims: Adenauer’s aims:

International recognition by integration, Democratisation by International recognition by integration, Democratisation by Westernisation. Westernisation.

Reconciliation with France.Reconciliation with France. Close relationship with United States – essential for security in Close relationship with United States – essential for security in

bipolar international system (Soviet Threat)bipolar international system (Soviet Threat)

Aims of the Western Powers: Aims of the Western Powers: Defeat German militarism and idea of revenge by integration.Defeat German militarism and idea of revenge by integration.

Factors which helped rehabilitation: Factors which helped rehabilitation: Perceived Soviet Threat: especially after 1949 (Soviet Atomic Perceived Soviet Threat: especially after 1949 (Soviet Atomic

Bomb) – German participation needed, good bargaining position Bomb) – German participation needed, good bargaining position for Adenauer: concessions.for Adenauer: concessions.

Korean War (1950-1953).Korean War (1950-1953).

Foreign PolicyForeign Policy 1951: Signing (in Paris) of the European Coal and Steel Community 1951: Signing (in Paris) of the European Coal and Steel Community

(ECSC).(ECSC). 1952: Signing (in Paris) of the European Defense Community 1952: Signing (in Paris) of the European Defense Community

(EDC). The ‘Stalin note’ offering a united neutral Germany.(EDC). The ‘Stalin note’ offering a united neutral Germany. 1954: Signing of the Paris Agreements. FRG/BRD is invited to join 1954: Signing of the Paris Agreements. FRG/BRD is invited to join

NATO permitting West German rearmament and Italy and the NATO permitting West German rearmament and Italy and the FRG/BRD accede to the Western European Union (WEU).FRG/BRD accede to the Western European Union (WEU).

1955: Full sovereignty returned to the Federal Republic.1955: Full sovereignty returned to the Federal Republic. 1957: The Treaty of Rome is signed establishing the European 1957: The Treaty of Rome is signed establishing the European

Economic Community. The Saar returns to Germany as a Economic Community. The Saar returns to Germany as a LandLand (to (to be followed in 3 years by economic reintegration).be followed in 3 years by economic reintegration).

1963: French-German Friendship Treaty is signed in Paris. 1963: French-German Friendship Treaty is signed in Paris. 1969-72: 1969-72: OstpolitikOstpolitik = attempts to normalize relations between the = attempts to normalize relations between the

two German states.two German states. 1972: Basic Treaty – German states agree to develop good 1972: Basic Treaty – German states agree to develop good

relations, settle disputes without force & respect one another’s relations, settle disputes without force & respect one another’s independence.independence.

Anti-AuthoritarianismAnti-Authoritarianism By the 1960s increasing By the 1960s increasing

resistance to the authoritarian resistance to the authoritarian social conservatism of the social conservatism of the Adenauer era.Adenauer era.

Intellectual opposition – resisted Intellectual opposition – resisted ‘petit-bourgeois’ values of the ‘petit-bourgeois’ values of the Adenauer era.Adenauer era.

Materialism – Frankfurt School Materialism – Frankfurt School philosopher Herbert Marcuse philosopher Herbert Marcuse warned of late-industrial capitalism warned of late-industrial capitalism creating ‘one-dimensional man’, creating ‘one-dimensional man’, alienated by consumerism & alienated by consumerism & ‘latent authoritarianism’ of liberal ‘latent authoritarianism’ of liberal state.state.

Generational Conflict – a new Generational Conflict – a new generation untainted by Nazism & generation untainted by Nazism & war growing up – increasingly war growing up – increasingly suspicious of the parental suspicious of the parental generation.generation.

Herbert Marcuse (1898-1979)

Anti-AuthoritarianismAnti-Authoritarianism Opposition to re-armament (‘Opposition to re-armament (‘ohne ohne

michmich’).’). Student Politics:Student Politics:

Anti-nuclearAnti-nuclear Anti-Vietnam warAnti-Vietnam war Calls for greater student Calls for greater student

democracy & reform of universitiesdemocracy & reform of universities 1965-69: Extra-Parliamentary 1965-69: Extra-Parliamentary

Opposition Opposition ((Ausserparlamentarische Ausserparlamentarische OppositionOpposition, APO) staged protest , APO) staged protest marches, demonstrations etc.marches, demonstrations etc.

1968: demonstrations in German 1968: demonstrations in German cities.cities.

Socialist German Students’ Leagueposter: ‘Everyone’s talking about the

weather. Not us.’

TerrorismTerrorism The Red Army Faction (RAF) or The Red Army Faction (RAF) or

Baader-Meinhof Gang formed by Baader-Meinhof Gang formed by former student radicals frustrated by former student radicals frustrated by the failure of the mainstream student the failure of the mainstream student movement to change German movement to change German society.society.

Aim to unmask latent Aim to unmask latent authoritarianism of state by authoritarianism of state by provoking police overreaction.provoking police overreaction.

Targeted symbols of capitalism, Targeted symbols of capitalism, such as bankers, as well as former such as bankers, as well as former NSDAP members, but also US NSDAP members, but also US military.military.

Founder generation leaders all in Founder generation leaders all in prison by 1972.prison by 1972.

1977: RAF & the Palestinian 1977: RAF & the Palestinian Liberation Organization hijacking Liberation Organization hijacking Lufthansa plane in Mogadishu foiled Lufthansa plane in Mogadishu foiled by special forces.by special forces.

RAF leadership commit suicide in RAF leadership commit suicide in prison shortly afterwards.prison shortly afterwards.

1972: anti-terrorist laws increase 1972: anti-terrorist laws increase police powers & require job police powers & require job applicants to undergo political applicants to undergo political scrutiny.scrutiny.

ConclusionConclusion The Federal Republic became a stable The Federal Republic became a stable

parliamentary democracy.parliamentary democracy. Nevertheless, continuity with the past, Nevertheless, continuity with the past,

particularly under Adenauer.particularly under Adenauer. Rapid economic recovery leading to prosperity.Rapid economic recovery leading to prosperity. But this brought its own problems:But this brought its own problems:

Student unrestStudent unrest High taxesHigh taxes

West Germany West Germany ‘a viable democracy with a ‘a viable democracy with a distinctly conservative colouration.’distinctly conservative colouration.’ (Carr) (Carr)