History of GermanyHistory of Germany

Lecture: Adenauer GermanyLecture: Adenauer Germany

ScheduleSchedule

1.1. The establishment of the Federal The establishment of the Federal Republic of GermanyRepublic of Germany

2.2. West integration and German unityWest integration and German unity3.3. The ‘Economic Miracle‘The ‘Economic Miracle‘4.4. The burden of the pastThe burden of the past5.5. The culture of the 1950’sThe culture of the 1950’s6.6. The end of an eraThe end of an era7.7. ConclusionConclusion

BasicsBasics

Basic LawBasic Law Human rights are part of constitution and bind both executive Human rights are part of constitution and bind both executive

and legislativeand legislative Federal Constitutional Court checks laws and actions of Federal Constitutional Court checks laws and actions of

government if they are compatible with constitutiongovernment if they are compatible with constitution Federal Structure: Bundesrat (federal council) part of Federal Structure: Bundesrat (federal council) part of

legislativelegislative Parliament (Bundestag): 50% of deputies elected in Parliament (Bundestag): 50% of deputies elected in

constituencies, 50% on party lists in lands, decisive for constituencies, 50% on party lists in lands, decisive for number of deputies is more or less relative share of national 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) votes, a party has to have at least 5% of the votes or 1 (later 3) elected deputy(ies) in constituencyelected deputy(ies) in constituency

Weak Federal President, strong Federal ChancellorWeak Federal President, strong Federal Chancellor Chancellor elected by parliament, can only be removed when Chancellor elected by parliament, can only be removed when

parliament elects in the same procedure new chancellorparliament elects in the same procedure new chancellor

Election Campaign 1949Election Campaign 1949

CDUCDU Social market economySocial market economy Close cooperation with Close cooperation with

Occupation powersOccupation powers German unity (but German unity (but

priority given to Western priority given to Western integration)integration)

Anti-communismAnti-communism Konrad AdenauerKonrad Adenauer

SPDSPD Plan economyPlan economy A more independent A more independent

policypolicy German unity (free and German unity (free and

democratic, but neutral democratic, but neutral Germany acceptable)Germany acceptable)

Anti-communismAnti-communism Kurt SchumacherKurt Schumacher

Kurt Schumacher (1895-1952), the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD)

Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967), the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)

1949

169,1% Sonstige

10 3,1% Zentrum

17 4,2% BP

17 4,0% DP

5 1,8% DRP

15 5,7% KPD/DKP

5211,9%FDP

131 29,2% SPD

139 31,0% CDU/CSU

deputies%Party

Elections August 14, 1949

Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, Minister of Economics Ludwig Erhard, President Theodor Heuss

Why were extremist parties not Why were extremist parties not successfullsuccessfull

Allied control: parties needed concession of High Allied control: parties needed concession of High CommissionerCommissioner

SRP forbidden 1951 by Federal Constitutional CourtSRP forbidden 1951 by Federal Constitutional Court KPD forbidden 1956 by Federal Constitutional CourtKPD forbidden 1956 by Federal Constitutional Court Right wing parties as Bund der Heimatvertriebenen und Right wing parties as Bund der Heimatvertriebenen und

Entrechteteten (BHE) absorbed by CDU/CSUEntrechteteten (BHE) absorbed by CDU/CSU Nationalist takeover of Liberal party (FDP) prevented Nationalist takeover of Liberal party (FDP) prevented

by Allies (arrest of leaders)by Allies (arrest of leaders) Economic success storyEconomic success story

19571953

ScheduleSchedule

1.1. The establishment of the Federal The establishment of the Federal Republic of GermanyRepublic of Germany

2.2. West integration and German unityWest integration and German unity3.3. The ‘Economic Miracle‘The ‘Economic Miracle‘4.4. The burden of the pastThe burden of the past5.5. The culture of the 1950’sThe culture of the 1950’s6.6. The end of an eraThe end of an era7.7. ConclusionConclusion

Adenauer’s Strategy for West GermanyAdenauer’s Strategy for West GermanyInternational recognition by integration, Democratisation by International recognition by integration, Democratisation by

Westernisation, reconciliation with France, close Westernisation, reconciliation with France, close relationship with United States – essential for security in relationship with United States – essential for security in bipolar international system (Soviet Threat)bipolar international system (Soviet Threat)

Western allies and Western European countriesWestern allies and Western European countriesDefeat German militarism and idea of revenge by integrationDefeat German militarism and idea of revenge by integration

What helped?What helped?Perceived Soviet Threat: especially after 1949 (Soviet Atomic Perceived Soviet Threat: especially after 1949 (Soviet Atomic

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

Korean War 1950 - 1953Korean War 1950 - 1953

Economic, political and military Economic, political and military integrationintegration

1951 Signing (in Paris) of the European Coal and Steel 1951 Signing (in Paris) of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)Community (ECSC)

1952 Signing (in Paris) of the European Defense Community 1952 Signing (in Paris) of the European Defense Community (EDC)(EDC)

1954 Signing of the Paris Agreements. FRG/BRD is invited to 1954 Signing of the Paris Agreements. FRG/BRD is invited to join NATO permitting West German rearmament and Italy join NATO permitting West German rearmament and Italy and the FRG/BRD accede to the Western European Union and the FRG/BRD accede to the Western European Union (WEU)(WEU)

1957 The Treaty of Rome is signed establishing the European 1957 The Treaty of Rome is signed establishing the European Economic Community Economic Community

1963 French-German Friendship Treaty is signed in Paris 1963 French-German Friendship Treaty is signed in Paris

1956

The fight for the rearmament of Germany

Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle,1962 Reims

GermanyGermany

1952 Stalin note: offer of neutral, unified Germany1952 Stalin note: offer of neutral, unified Germany 1952 Signing (in Bonn) of FRG's "Germany Treaty" (which 1952 Signing (in Bonn) of FRG's "Germany Treaty" (which

includes reunification as a political goal) includes reunification as a political goal) 1953 (June 17): Riots in East Berlin1953 (June 17): Riots in East Berlin 1955 Paris Treaty in force (establishing sovereignity for West 1955 Paris Treaty in force (establishing sovereignity for West

Germany [FRG/BRD])Germany [FRG/BRD]) 1955 Chancellor Adenauer visits Moscow1955 Chancellor Adenauer visits Moscow 1957 The Saar returns to Germany as a 1957 The Saar returns to Germany as a LandLand (to be followed (to be followed

in 3 years by economic reintegration) in 3 years by economic reintegration) 1958 Chrushchev’s Berlin ultimatum1958 Chrushchev’s Berlin ultimatum 1961 Berlin Wall – cementing partition1961 Berlin Wall – cementing partition

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

ScheduleSchedule

1.1. The establishment of the Federal The establishment of the Federal Republic of GermanyRepublic of Germany

2.2. West integration and German unityWest integration and German unity3.3. The ‘Economic Miracle‘The ‘Economic Miracle‘4.4. The burden of the pastThe burden of the past5.5. The culture of the 1950’sThe culture of the 1950’s6.6. The end of an eraThe end of an era7.7. ConclusionConclusion

Cologne1945

ProblemsProblems

Limited souvereignityLimited souvereignity Total government expenditures in 1950: 11.6 billion Total government expenditures in 1950: 11.6 billion

DM, 4.2 billion DM for occupation costs (36% of DM, 4.2 billion DM for occupation costs (36% of budget)budget)

High unemployment (1950: 10%)High unemployment (1950: 10%) Almost 8 million displaced persons had to be integratedAlmost 8 million displaced persons had to be integrated Housing shortageHousing shortage War destructions, war invalidsWar destructions, war invalids Reparation payments and demontage (until 1949 more Reparation payments and demontage (until 1949 more

than 3,4 billion $ (in prices of 1938)than 3,4 billion $ (in prices of 1938)

PlusesPluses Level of destruction not as high as expectedLevel of destruction not as high as expected American aid (Marshal plan)American aid (Marshal plan) Interest of Western European countries and the United Interest of Western European countries and the United

States in a prosperous German economy as States in a prosperous German economy as precondition for the reconstruction of European economyprecondition for the reconstruction of European economy

Skilled workforce availableSkilled workforce available Successful currency reform in 1948Successful currency reform in 1948 Conflict between Western Allies and Soviet UnionConflict between Western Allies and Soviet Union Korean WarKorean War Long period of economic growth in most important Long period of economic growth in most important

capitalist countriescapitalist countries Ludwig Erhard and his Soziale Marktwirtschaft (social Ludwig Erhard and his Soziale Marktwirtschaft (social

market economy)market economy) Trade unions united under social democratic leadership, Trade unions united under social democratic leadership,

cooperativecooperative Work as an compensation for refusal to confront with the Work as an compensation for refusal to confront with the

German war crimes ?German war crimes ?

Growth RateGrowth Rate Gross National Gross National ProductProduct

1951: 1951: 10.9%10.9% 1952: 1952: 9.09.0 1953: 1953: 7.97.9 1954: 1954: 7.27.2 1955: 1955: 12.012.0 1956: 1956: 7.07.0 1957: 1957: 5.85.8 1958:1958: 3.33.3 1959: 1959: 6.96.9 1960: 1960: 8.88.8 1961: 1961: 4.34.3 1962: 1962: 4.74.7 1963: 1963: 2.82.8

19501950 983.7 Billion DM983.7 Billion DM 19631963 2003.0 Billion 2003.0 Billion

DMDM

Per capitaPer capita 19501950 2,100 DM2,100 DM 19631963 6,700 DM6,700 DM

SuccessesSuccesses

Unemployment 1950: 2 MillionUnemployment 1950: 2 Million 1960: a 1960: a few ten thousandfew ten thousand

Export surplusExport surplus Improved living standard (‘Fresswelle’)Improved living standard (‘Fresswelle’) Real wages 1965 twice as high as 1950Real wages 1965 twice as high as 1950 Mobility (social and other) Mobility (social and other) Social policy: Equalization of burden Social policy: Equalization of burden

(Lastenausgleich) 1952, Progressive (Lastenausgleich) 1952, Progressive growth of pensions 1957growth of pensions 1957

The German actor Gert Fröbe in Berliner Ballad (1948)

Gert Fröbe in the 1960‘s

ScheduleSchedule

1.1. The establishment of the Federal The establishment of the Federal Republic of GermanyRepublic of Germany

2.2. West integration and German unityWest integration and German unity3.3. The ‘Economic Miracle‘The ‘Economic Miracle‘4.4. The burden of the pastThe burden of the past5.5. The culture of the 1950’sThe culture of the 1950’s6.6. The end of an eraThe end of an era7.7. ConclusionConclusion

Nazi past Nazi past

Conscious effort to break with Nazi past, “inventing” a Conscious effort to break with Nazi past, “inventing” a liberal, democratic, western Germanyliberal, democratic, western Germany

Amnesty laws 1949 and 1950: people with ‘minor’ Amnesty laws 1949 and 1950: people with ‘minor’ crimes, sentences amnestiedcrimes, sentences amnestied

Rehabilitation of the WehrmachtRehabilitation of the Wehrmacht Integration of old elites – including leading members of Integration of old elites – including leading members of

Nazi party and organisationsNazi party and organisations Stabilizing effect: no strong nationalist (national Stabilizing effect: no strong nationalist (national

socialist) opposition – potential absorbed by CDU and socialist) opposition – potential absorbed by CDU and CSUCSU

Costs: Ethical, have not to confront Nazi past and many Costs: Ethical, have not to confront Nazi past and many thousands not punished for crimesthousands not punished for crimes

Nazi PastNazi Past

Hans Globke (1898-1973)Wrote in 1935 a commentary to the Nuremberg lawsDirector 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)

But…But…

1952 Signing of the Reconciliation Treaty between 1952 Signing of the Reconciliation Treaty between Israel and West GermanyIsrael and West Germany

Financial compensation for Jewish propertyFinancial compensation for Jewish property Since end of 1950’s: Trials against War Criminals and Since end of 1950’s: Trials against War Criminals and

guards of Concentration Campsguards of Concentration Camps Zentralstelle der Landesjustizverwaltung zur Zentralstelle der Landesjustizverwaltung zur

Aufklärung nationalsozialistischer Verbrechen 1958 Aufklärung nationalsozialistischer Verbrechen 1958 (Ludwigsburger Zentralstelle)(Ludwigsburger Zentralstelle)

Historians publish books on HolocaustHistorians publish books on Holocaust Critical novels, poems, theatre productions, films on Critical novels, poems, theatre productions, films on

Nazi pastNazi past

ScheduleSchedule

1.1. The establishment of the Federal The establishment of the Federal Republic of GermanyRepublic of Germany

2.2. West integration and German unityWest integration and German unity3.3. The ‘Economic Miracle‘The ‘Economic Miracle‘4.4. The burden of the pastThe burden of the past5.5. The culture of the 1950’sThe culture of the 1950’s6.6. The end of an eraThe end of an era7.7. ConclusionConclusion

The FiftiesThe Fifties

Escapist Optimism: Dominance of HollywoodEscapist Optimism: Dominance of Hollywood Heimatfilms, Romances and “Sissi” (Austrian Empress Heimatfilms, Romances and “Sissi” (Austrian Empress

Elisabeth) Films These films stressed a timeless world of Elisabeth) Films These films stressed a timeless world of unchanged social order and were kitschyunchanged social order and were kitschy

[Later, in the early 1960s some Westerns (Karl May Westerns), [Later, in the early 1960s some Westerns (Karl May Westerns), and Thrillers (Edgar Wallace, with Klaus Kinski).]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 But also some films which did not fit in this picture: Die

Suenderin (the sinner) with Hildegard Knef 1950, Der Untertan Suenderin (the sinner) with Hildegard Knef 1950, Der Untertan by Wolfgang Staudte 1951, Die Halbstarken (1957) with Horst by Wolfgang Staudte 1951, Die Halbstarken (1957) with Horst BuchholzBuchholz

1951

1956 – 1958: 96 youth riots in major German cities

1956

German ‘schlager’ musicGerman ‘schlager’ music

80% of all sold copies: 80% of all sold copies: recordings of German recordings of German ‘schlager’‘schlager’

Conny Froboess

Freddy Quinn

1956

Americanisation

Peter Kraus

ScheduleSchedule

1.1. The establishment of the Federal The establishment of the Federal Republic of GermanyRepublic of Germany

2.2. West integration and German unityWest integration and German unity3.3. The ‘Economic Miracle‘The ‘Economic Miracle‘4.4. The burden of the pastThe burden of the past5.5. The culture of the 1950’sThe culture of the 1950’s6.6. The end of an eraThe end of an era7.7. ConclusionConclusion

Ludwig Erhard (1897-1977)Minister of Economy, 1949-1963Bundeskanzler, 1963-1966

Willy Brandt (1913-1992)

Mayor of Berlin, 1957-1966

Bundeskanzler, 1966-1972

1. Konrad Adenauer, Politiker (1876-1967) 2. Martin Luther, Kirchenreformator (1483-1546) 3. Karl Marx, Philosoph und Nationalökonom (1818-1883) 4. Sophie und Hans Scholl, Widerstandskämpfer ("Weiße Rose") (1921/1918-1943) 5. Willy Brandt, Politiker (1913-1992) 6. Johann Sebastian Bach, Komponist (1685-1750) 7. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Schriftsteller (1749-1832) 8. Johannes Gutenberg, Erfinder des Buchdrucks (1400-1468) 9. Otto von Bismarck, Politiker (1815-1898) 10. Albert Einstein, Naturwissenschaftler (1879-1955)

Unsere Besten, ZDF Ranking 2003

ConclusionConclusion

StabilisationStabilisation Diversification (Pluralisierung)Diversification (Pluralisierung) InternationalisationInternationalisation Tradition AND MondernityTradition AND Mondernity