Why could it be argued the situation in 1945 was worse than that of 1918?
- Imposed democracy
- Total defeat and occupation
- Territorial losses
- Expulsion and flight of millions
- Reintegration of troops and civilians into post war society
When was the Adenauer Ear?
1949-1963
What is the FRG?
West Germany
What were the aims of the FRG?
The FRG was to remain under control of the Occupation Statute, set up in 1949 and allowed the US, Britain and France to control the area until it was declared a sovereign state in 1955.
What was the ‘Basic Law’?
- The ‘Basic Law’ was not a constitution but allowed for flexibility should Germany be reunified
- Applied to all Germans regardless of geography - including those under Polish and Soviet rule. All of those in the 3 Western Zones and even in the Soviet Sector
What changes were made to the role of president in the Bonn Republic (Basic Law)?
- Powers dramatically diminished
- Term reduced from 7 to 5 years
- Chosen by special assembly made up of all Bundestag and equal number selected from Lander
- NOT ELECTED BY PEOPLE as in 1919
- Now a symbolic role
- No Article 48
How was the FRG established?
- From 11 states formed in the 3 Allied Zones of occupation held by the UK, US and France
- 100% separate from the fourth zone of occupation, which was held by the Soviet Union before becoming the GDR
When was the FRG created?
23rd May 1949
Who created the FRG?
Allied forces with the help of the Basic Law
What changes were made to the role of parliament in the Bonn Republic (Basic Law)?
- Two tiers; Bundestag= federal parliament (lower chamber) and Bundesrat= federal council (upper chamber)
- Chancellor much more powerful than President and elected by President and Bundestag (parliament)
- Constructive vote of no confidence introduced - to avoid constant coalitions of the Weimar era
What would happen in the event that a new Chancellor did not have the approval of parliament?
- New elections called
- The previous chancellor could not be dismissed until a successor had been voted in
- Prevented the president from appointing and dismissing Chancellors at will (as Hindenburg did)
Who was Theodor Heuss?
The first president of the FRG
Who was the first chancellor of the FRG?
Konrad Adenauer
What was pluralism?
- Parties could not be abolished unless they acted against the constitution
- No referendums allowed to avoid division.
What was the new electoral system?
- Constitution prevented abolition of political parties
- Mixed Member Political Representation= representatives for half seats in Bundestag through majority vote (first past the post), other half from party lists on PR basis
- In 1953, 5% hurdle or 1 constituency was introduced and then increased to 3 in 1957.
- This favoured larger parties rather than coalitions
When wereleft and right extremists banned?
1950s
When was the communist party banned?
1956
