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History of Germany Lecture: Adenauer Germany
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Schedule 1.The establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany 2.West integration and German unity 3.The ‘Economic Miracle‘ 4.The burden of the past 5.The culture of the 1950’s 6.The end of an era 7.Conclusion
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Basics Basic Law Basic Law Human rights are part of constitution and bind both executive and legislative Human rights are part of constitution and bind both executive and legislative Federal Constitutional Court checks laws and actions of government if they are compatible with constitution Federal Constitutional Court checks laws and actions of government if they are compatible with constitution Federal Structure: Bundesrat (federal council) part of legislative Federal Structure: Bundesrat (federal council) part of legislative Parliament (Bundestag): 50% of deputies elected in constituencies, 50% on party lists in lands, decisive for number of deputies is more or less relative share of national votes, a party has to have at least 5% of the votes or 1 (later 3) elected deputy(ies) in constituency Parliament (Bundestag): 50% of deputies elected in constituencies, 50% on party lists in lands, decisive for number of deputies is more or less relative share of national votes, a party has to have at least 5% of the votes or 1 (later 3) elected deputy(ies) in constituency Weak Federal President, strong Federal Chancellor Weak Federal President, strong Federal Chancellor Chancellor elected by parliament, can only be removed when parliament elects in the same procedure new chancellor Chancellor elected by parliament, can only be removed when parliament elects in the same procedure new chancellor
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Election Campaign 1949 CDU CDU Social market economy Social market economy Close cooperation with Occupation powers Close cooperation with Occupation powers German unity (but priority given to Western integration) German unity (but priority given to Western integration) Anti-communism Anti-communism Konrad Adenauer Konrad Adenauer SPD Plan economy A more independent policy German unity (free and democratic, but neutral Germany acceptable) Anti-communism Kurt Schumacher
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Kurt Schumacher (1895- 1952), the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967), the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
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1949 Party%deputies CDU/CSU31,0%139 SPD29,2%131 FDP11,9%52 KPD/DKP5,7%15 DRP1,8%5 DP4,0%17 BP4,2%17 Zentrum3,1%10 Sonstige9,1%16 Elections August 14, 1949
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Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, Minister of Economics Ludwig Erhard, President Theodor Heuss
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Why were extremist parties not successfull Allied control: parties needed concession of High Commissioner Allied control: parties needed concession of High Commissioner SRP forbidden 1951 by Federal Constitutional Court SRP forbidden 1951 by Federal Constitutional Court KPD forbidden 1956 by Federal Constitutional Court KPD forbidden 1956 by Federal Constitutional Court Right wing parties as Bund der Heimatvertriebenen und Entrechteteten (BHE) absorbed by CDU/CSU Right wing parties as Bund der Heimatvertriebenen und Entrechteteten (BHE) absorbed by CDU/CSU Nationalist takeover of Liberal party (FDP) prevented by Allies (arrest of leaders) Nationalist takeover of Liberal party (FDP) prevented by Allies (arrest of leaders) Economic success story Economic success story
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1957 1953
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Schedule 1.The establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany 2.West integration and German unity 3.The ‘Economic Miracle‘ 4.The burden of the past 5.The culture of the 1950’s 6.The end of an era 7.Conclusion
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Adenauer’s Strategy for West Germany International recognition by integration, Democratisation by Westernisation, reconciliation with France, close relationship with United States – essential for security in bipolar international system (Soviet Threat) Western allies and Western European countries Defeat German militarism and idea of revenge by integration What helped? Perceived Soviet Threat: especially after 1949 (Soviet Atomic Bomb): German participation needed, good bargaining position for Adenauer: concessions Korean War 1950 - 1953
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Economic, political and military integration 1951 Signing (in Paris) of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) 1951 Signing (in Paris) of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) 1952 Signing (in Paris) of the European Defense Community (EDC) 1952 Signing (in Paris) of the European Defense Community (EDC) 1954 Signing of the Paris Agreements. FRG/BRD is invited to join NATO permitting West German rearmament and Italy and the FRG/BRD accede to the Western European Union (WEU) 1954 Signing of the Paris Agreements. FRG/BRD is invited to join NATO permitting West German rearmament and Italy and the FRG/BRD accede to the Western European Union (WEU) 1957 The Treaty of Rome is signed establishing the European Economic Community 1957 The Treaty of Rome is signed establishing the European Economic Community 1963 French-German Friendship Treaty is signed in Paris 1963 French-German Friendship Treaty is signed in Paris
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1956 The fight for the rearmament of Germany
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Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle, 1962 Reims
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Germany 1952 Stalin note: offer of neutral, unified Germany 1952 Stalin note: offer of neutral, unified Germany 1952 Signing (in Bonn) of FRG's "Germany Treaty" (which includes reunification as a political goal) 1952 Signing (in Bonn) of FRG's "Germany Treaty" (which includes reunification as a political goal) 1953 (June 17): Riots in East Berlin 1953 (June 17): Riots in East Berlin 1955 Paris Treaty in force (establishing sovereignity for West Germany [FRG/BRD]) 1955 Paris Treaty in force (establishing sovereignity for West Germany [FRG/BRD]) 1955 Chancellor Adenauer visits Moscow 1955 Chancellor Adenauer visits Moscow 1957 The Saar returns to Germany as a Land (to be followed in 3 years by economic reintegration) 1957 The Saar returns to Germany as a Land (to be followed in 3 years by economic reintegration) 1958 Chrushchev’s Berlin ultimatum 1958 Chrushchev’s Berlin ultimatum 1961 Berlin Wall – cementing partition 1961 Berlin Wall – cementing partition
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Stalinnote of March 10, 1952 and April 9, 1952 Offer: Unification of Germany Price: Neutralisation of Germany Aim: To prevent integration of West Germany in Western military alliance system Historiography: Serious offer of Soviet Union Move in propaganda war
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Schedule 1.The establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany 2.West integration and German unity 3.The ‘Economic Miracle‘ 4.The burden of the past 5.The culture of the 1950’s 6.The end of an era 7.Conclusion
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Cologne 1945
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Problems Limited souvereignity Limited souvereignity Total government expenditures in 1950: 11.6 billion DM, 4.2 billion DM for occupation costs (36% of budget) Total government expenditures in 1950: 11.6 billion DM, 4.2 billion DM for occupation costs (36% of budget) High unemployment (1950: 10%) High unemployment (1950: 10%) Almost 8 million displaced persons had to be integrated Almost 8 million displaced persons had to be integrated Housing shortage Housing shortage War destructions, war invalids War destructions, war invalids Reparation payments and demontage (until 1949 more than 3,4 billion $ (in prices of 1938) Reparation payments and demontage (until 1949 more than 3,4 billion $ (in prices of 1938)
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Pluses Level of destruction not as high as expected Level of destruction not as high as expected American aid (Marshal plan) American aid (Marshal plan) Interest of Western European countries and the United States in a prosperous German economy as precondition for the reconstruction of European economy Interest of Western European countries and the United States in a prosperous German economy as precondition for the reconstruction of European economy Skilled workforce available Skilled workforce available Successful currency reform in 1948 Successful currency reform in 1948 Conflict between Western Allies and Soviet Union Conflict between Western Allies and Soviet Union Korean War Korean War Long period of economic growth in most important capitalist countries Long period of economic growth in most important capitalist countries Ludwig Erhard and his Soziale Marktwirtschaft (social market economy) Ludwig Erhard and his Soziale Marktwirtschaft (social market economy) Trade unions united under social democratic leadership, cooperative Trade unions united under social democratic leadership, cooperative Work as an compensation for refusal to confront with the German war crimes ? Work as an compensation for refusal to confront with the German war crimes ?
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Growth RateGross National Product 1951: 10.9% 1951: 10.9% 1952: 9.0 1952: 9.0 1953: 7.9 1953: 7.9 1954: 7.2 1954: 7.2 1955: 12.0 1955: 12.0 1956: 7.0 1956: 7.0 1957: 5.8 1957: 5.8 1958:3.3 1958:3.3 1959: 6.9 1959: 6.9 1960: 8.8 1960: 8.8 1961: 4.3 1961: 4.3 1962: 4.7 1962: 4.7 1963: 2.8 1963: 2.8 1950983.7 Billion DM 19632003.0 Billion DM Per capita 19502,100 DM 19636,700 DM
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Successes Unemployment 1950: 2 Million1960: a few ten thousand Unemployment 1950: 2 Million1960: a few ten thousand Export surplus Export surplus Improved living standard (‘Fresswelle’) Improved living standard (‘Fresswelle’) Real wages 1965 twice as high as 1950 Real wages 1965 twice as high as 1950 Mobility (social and other) Mobility (social and other) Social policy: Equalization of burden (Lastenausgleich) 1952, Progressive growth of pensions 1957 Social policy: Equalization of burden (Lastenausgleich) 1952, Progressive growth of pensions 1957
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The German actor Gert Fröbe in Berliner Ballad (1948) Gert Fröbe in the 1960‘s
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Schedule 1.The establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany 2.West integration and German unity 3.The ‘Economic Miracle‘ 4.The burden of the past 5.The culture of the 1950’s 6.The end of an era 7.Conclusion
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Nazi past Conscious effort to break with Nazi past, “inventing” a liberal, democratic, western Germany Conscious effort to break with Nazi past, “inventing” a liberal, democratic, western Germany Amnesty laws 1949 and 1950: people with ‘minor’ crimes, sentences amnestied Amnesty laws 1949 and 1950: people with ‘minor’ crimes, sentences amnestied Rehabilitation of the Wehrmacht Rehabilitation of the Wehrmacht Integration of old elites – including leading members of Nazi party and organisations Integration of old elites – including leading members of Nazi party and organisations Stabilizing effect: no strong nationalist (national socialist) opposition – potential absorbed by CDU and CSU Stabilizing effect: no strong nationalist (national socialist) opposition – potential absorbed by CDU and CSU Costs: Ethical, have not to confront Nazi past and many thousands not punished for crimes Costs: Ethical, have not to confront Nazi past and many thousands not punished for crimes
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Nazi Past Hans Globke (1898-1973) Wrote in 1935 a commentary to the Nuremberg laws Director of the Federal Chancellery, 1953-1963 Theodor Oberländer (1905-1998) Advising officer of the Wehrmacht on minority questions (Eastern Front) Minister for Displaced Persons and Refugees (1953-1960)
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But… 1952 Signing of the Reconciliation Treaty between Israel and West Germany 1952 Signing of the Reconciliation Treaty between Israel and West Germany Financial compensation for Jewish property Financial compensation for Jewish property Since end of 1950’s: Trials against War Criminals and guards of Concentration Camps Since end of 1950’s: Trials against War Criminals and guards of Concentration Camps Zentralstelle der Landesjustizverwaltung zur Aufklärung nationalsozialistischer Verbrechen 1958 (Ludwigsburger Zentralstelle) Zentralstelle der Landesjustizverwaltung zur Aufklärung nationalsozialistischer Verbrechen 1958 (Ludwigsburger Zentralstelle) Historians publish books on Holocaust Historians publish books on Holocaust Critical novels, poems, theatre productions, films on Nazi past Critical novels, poems, theatre productions, films on Nazi past
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Schedule 1.The establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany 2.West integration and German unity 3.The ‘Economic Miracle‘ 4.The burden of the past 5.The culture of the 1950’s 6.The end of an era 7.Conclusion
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The Fifties Escapist Optimism: Dominance of Hollywood Escapist Optimism: Dominance of Hollywood Heimatfilms, Romances and “Sissi” (Austrian Empress Elisabeth) Films These films stressed a timeless world of unchanged social order and were kitschy Heimatfilms, Romances and “Sissi” (Austrian Empress Elisabeth) Films These films stressed a timeless world of unchanged social order and were kitschy [Later, in the early 1960s some Westerns (Karl May Westerns), and Thrillers (Edgar Wallace, with Klaus Kinski).] [Later, in the early 1960s some Westerns (Karl May Westerns), and Thrillers (Edgar Wallace, with Klaus Kinski).] The Fifties were very successful at the Box office. The Fifties were very successful at the Box office. But also some films which did not fit in this picture: Die Suenderin (the sinner) with Hildegard Knef 1950, Der Untertan by Wolfgang Staudte 1951, Die Halbstarken (1957) with Horst Buchholz But also some films which did not fit in this picture: Die Suenderin (the sinner) with Hildegard Knef 1950, Der Untertan by Wolfgang Staudte 1951, Die Halbstarken (1957) with Horst Buchholz
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1951 1956 – 1958: 96 youth riots in major German cities 1956
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German ‘schlager’ music 80% of all sold copies: recordings of German ‘schlager’ 80% of all sold copies: recordings of German ‘schlager’ Conny Froboess Freddy Quinn
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1956 Americanisation Peter Kraus
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Schedule 1.The establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany 2.West integration and German unity 3.The ‘Economic Miracle‘ 4.The burden of the past 5.The culture of the 1950’s 6.The end of an era 7.Conclusion
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Ludwig Erhard (1897-1977) Minister of Economy, 1949-1963 Bundeskanzler, 1963-1966 Willy Brandt (1913-1992) Mayor of Berlin, 1957-1966 Bundeskanzler, 1966-1972
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1. Konrad Adenauer, Politiker (1876-1967)Konrad Adenauer 2. Martin Luther, Kirchenreformator (1483-1546)Martin Luther 3. Karl Marx, Philosoph und Nationalökonom (1818-1883)Karl Marx 4. Sophie und Hans Scholl, Widerstandskämpfer ("Weiße Rose") (1921/1918-1943)SophieHans SchollWeiße Rose 5. Willy Brandt, Politiker (1913-1992)Willy Brandt 6. Johann Sebastian Bach, Komponist (1685-1750)Johann Sebastian Bach 7. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Schriftsteller (1749-1832)Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 8. Johannes Gutenberg, Erfinder des Buchdrucks (1400- 1468)Johannes Gutenberg 9. Otto von Bismarck, Politiker (1815-1898)Otto von Bismarck 10. Albert Einstein, Naturwissenschaftler (1879-1955)Albert Einstein Unsere Besten, ZDF Ranking 2003
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Conclusion Stabilisation Stabilisation Diversification (Pluralisierung) Diversification (Pluralisierung) Internationalisation Internationalisation Tradition AND Mondernity Tradition AND Mondernity
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