Consolidation Under Adenauer

Political Stability

The political system in West Germany was relatively stable between 1949 and 1963. This was due to a mixture of Adenauer's success and the constitution.

Impact of the economic miracle

The economy’s recovery provided a strong foundation for West Germany’s political stability.
Adenauer’s regime was accredited (given credit for) with the economic miracle.

Longevity of Adenauer

Adenauer and the Christian Democratic Union succeeded in four elections.
This indicates Adenauer’s popularity and the population’s desire for stability.
- The period between 1949 and 1963 is known as an era of ‘chancellor democracy’. This was because Adenauer had such a prominent role in policy-making.

Political parties

Political stability was also helped by the small number of dominant political parties.
The CDU dominated West German politics between 1949 and 1963. Their main rival was the SDP.
The strength of these parties prevented the Bundestag from being divided by lots of small parties (as had happened in the Weimar Republic).

Lack of opposition

As well as this, extremist parties were banned. This included the Socialist Reich Party (a far-right party) and the Communist Party (a far-left party).
Adenauer also absorbed right-wing parties into the CDU. This reduced opposition.

Historical assessment

Historian Martin Conway (2004) argues that the period 1945-73 was extraordinary in European history for the relative peace it brought and it's 'muted character'. He calls this period 'Western Europe's Democratic Age.'
Conway (2004) argues that the roots of postwar democracy went deeper than simply the events of the Second World War. He thinks the type of democracy that emerged in the 1940s in Europe was the result of long term social and institutional changes.

Elections in West Germany Between 1949 and 1963

Adenauer and the CDU remained in power for 14 years.

1949 elections

The CDU won 31% of the vote in 1949.
Adenauer struggled to form a government in 1949.
He was only able to do so after weeks of discussions and negotiations.

1953 elections

The CDU vote increased to 45.2% in 1953.
The CDU’s popularity came from their economic policies, foreign policies, and the rise of anti-communism during the Korean War.

1957 elections

The CDU won 50.2% of the vote in 1957.
This was largely down to the economic miracle.
The CDU appealed to political stability in their slogan ‘No experiments’.

1961 elections

The CDU’s vote dropped to 45.3% in 1961.
This indicates a decline in popularity.

1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989

1.1Creation & Collapse of Weimar, 1918-1932

1.1.1Creation of a Republic

1.1.2Strengths & Weaknesses of Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Overcoming Challenges to the Constitution

1.1.4The Great Depression

1.1.5The Collapse of Democracy

1.1.6The Collapse of Democracy 2

1.1.7Hitler Becomes Chancellor

1.2Nazi Dictatorship, 1933-1945

1.2.1Establishing a Dictatorship

1.2.2Consolidating Power

1.2.3Nature of Government

1.2.4Government in Wartime

1.2.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Political & Governmental Change

1.3Return to Democratic Government, 1945-1989

1.3.1Creation of the FRG, 1945-1949

1.3.2Consolidation Under Adenauer

1.3.3Consolidation Under Erhard

1.3.4Maintaining Stability Under Brandt

1.3.5Maintaining Stability Under Schmidt

1.3.6Maintaining Stability Under Kohl

1.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Return to Democratic Government

2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989

2.1Opposition to Government, 1918-1989

2.1.1Impact of Versailles

2.1.2Political Extremism & Crises, 1918-1932

2.1.3Opposition & Dissent in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945

2.1.4Political Dissent from the Left, 1949-1989

2.1.5Political Dissent from the Right, 1949-1989

2.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Opposition to Government 1918-89

2.2Controlling the People, 1918-1989

2.2.1Attempts to Control Extremism

2.2.2Repression, 1933-1945

2.2.3Censorship & Propaganda, 1933-1945

2.2.4De-Nazification Policies of Western Allies, 1945

2.2.5Constitutional & Legal Response to Extremism, 1949

2.3Popular Support, 1918-1989

2.3.1The Nature of Support for the Weimar Government

2.3.2Support for the Nazi Regime

2.3.3The Nature of Support for Democracy, 1945-1989

2.3.4Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the People

3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989

3.1Reacting to Economic Challenges, 1918-1932

3.1.1Economic Crises & Government Response, 1918-1923

3.1.2Economic Loans, 1924-1928

3.1.3Policies for Recovery, 1924-1929

3.1.4The Great Depression

3.1.5Change in Living Standards

3.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Reacting to Economic Challenges

3.2Controlling the Economy, 1933-1945

3.2.1Attempting Economic Recovery

3.2.2Creating a Command Economy

3.2.3Change in Living Standards

3.2.4Impact of War

3.2.5Impact of War 2

3.2.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the Economy

3.3Creating the Social Market Economy, 1945-1989

3.3.1Economic Recovery, 1945-1955

3.3.2The Economic Miracle, 1955-1966

3.3.3Surviving the Recession, 1960-1969

3.3.4The Oil Crisis

3.3.5Integration into the European Economy

3.3.6Change in Living Standards

3.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Creating Social Market Economy

4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989

4.1Attitudes Towards Women, 1918-1989

4.1.1Role & Status of Women in the Weimar Republic

4.1.2Impact of Kinder, Küche, Kirche

4.1.3Impact of WW2 on Women

4.1.4Role & Status of Women in the FRG

4.1.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Attitudes Towards Women

4.2Education & Cultural Developments, 1918-1989

4.2.1Education in Weimar

4.2.2Cultural Experimentation in Weimar

4.2.3Education Under the Nazis

4.2.4Nazi Culture

4.2.5Education in the FRG

4.2.6Generational Conflict

4.2.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Education & Cultural Development

4.3Position of Ethnic Minorities, 19189-1989

4.3.1Ethnic Minorities in the Weimar Republic

4.3.2Nazi Racial Policies, 1933-1939

4.3.3Nazi Racial Policies During the War

4.3.4Ethnic Minorities in the FRG

4.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Position of Ethnic Minorities

5Historical Interpretations

5.1Influence of German History

5.1.1Influence of German History

5.2Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.2.1Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.3Contribution of Other Nations to WW2

5.3.1Weak Nations

5.3.2Appeasement

5.3.3The Rise of Fascism

5.4Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.1Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.2Top Grade AO2/3 - Historical Interpretation

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