Federal Republic of Germany The German Democratic Republic

1. Federal Republic of Germany The German Democratic Republic

2. Bullets; Impacts

3. Probable Introduction • Germany was profoundly affected by the Cold War. Its division in 1949 was a result of Cold War politics and its reunification came about when the Cold War had ended. • Its capital city, moreover, remained the centre of tension throughout the war, the peak of which was in 1961, prior to the building of the Berlin Wall. The end of the Cold War is symbolized by the extraordinary events of November 1989 when the wall came down.

4. The impact of the Cold War on the constitution oftheFRG • The Federal Republic of Germany was set up as a liberal democracy. The Basic Law ensured that power was shared between branches of government and between the federal Länder (states of Germany) in order to prevent another Nazi-style government ever emerging again. • It also committed West Germany to the protection of human rights and to the reunification of Germany. • Konrad Adenauer became chancellor, leading a CDU/CSU coalition, though West Germany did not immediately get full sovereignty, as the Allies retained the power of veto. The Ruhr was kept under international control and France retained control of the Saar coal-mining region.

5. The impact of the Cold War on the economy of the FRG • Under Adenauer, West Germany experienced an economic miracle, which was in part due to the Cold War. • Marshall Aid, though not as key to German economic recovery as was once thought, nevertheless created a sense of confidence in investment. • It also strengthened Adenauer’s political position and thus created a sense of national stability that encouraged economic growth.

6. Impact on economy • The Korean War led to demand for German steel and manufactured goods, which further boosted the economy. • The fact that Germany was not allowed a military force meant that it could concentrate its spending on rebuilding the country. • The political stability of these years – combined with a strong, growing economy –attracted East German skilled workers who escaped to the West via West Berlin.

7. Impact on economy • The strength of the economy helped lead to the FRG’s independence in 1955. • By this time, Adenauer had been able to reassure the Western powers that West Germany was no longer to be feared, and indeed the FRG signed the Treaty of Paris in 1951. • This created the European Coal and Steel Community , which later led to the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC). • It also joined the International Monetary Fund.

8. The impact of the Cold War on West German politics up to 1969 • The impact of the Cold War also dominated West German politics. • Many Germans considered reunification of Germany to be a priority in the early years and Adenauer faced criticism for becoming more involved in Western alliances and institutions. • However, Stalin’s proposal in 1952 for uniting Germany was rejected by the Allies, and Adenauer agreed that Stalin’s intention was to split Germany from the West and keep a German state under Soviet influence. • Indeed, Adenauer believed that the best path for West Germany lay in winning the support of the Western world and becoming friends again with the French.

9. The impact of the Cold War on West German politics up to 1969 • However, he faced criticism for this policy, as it seemed to suggest that he was not interested in unifying Germany. • This criticism intensified when, following the end of the occupation, West Germany became a fully independent state, which led to Germans arguing that this reduced chances of unification. • Nevertheless, Cold War tensions contributed to the longevity of Adenauer’s position as chancellor (14 years), as Germans voted for the stability that he represented. • Given the strong anti-Communist sentiment of the 1950s, the CDU/CSU coalition was more attractive than more left-wing parties such as the SPD.

10. The impact of the Cold War on West Germany’s foreign policy • West Germany’s geographical position bordering the Eastern bloc, and thus its importance for America in the conflict against the Soviet Union, meant that West Germany’s foreign policy would be dictated by events in the Cold War.

11. The impact of the Cold War on West Germany’s foreign policy • West Germany had no army in 1949. However, from 1950, Adenauer began to argue for the creation of an ‘armed security police’, which could maintain internal security as well as contributing to the defence of Western Europe. • With the outbreak of the Korean War showing the dangers of one side of a divided country attacking the other, this suggestion seemed reasonable, given that the FRG faced an armed DDR.

12. Geopolitcs • Indeed, the US supported the idea of West Germany joining NATO. • However, it was not until 1954 that France could be persuaded to allow this to happen. • The Soviet Union responded by setting up the Warsaw Pact, which further confirmed the division of Europe and of Germany.

13. Hallstein Doctrine , • In 1955, Adenauer made a threat that became known as the Hallstein Doctrine , which stated that the FRG would break off diplomatic relations with any country that established diplomatic relations with the GDR. • Hostility between the two Germanys reached a high point during the Berlin Wall crisis.

14. Willy Brandt • However, with the election of Willy Brandt in 1969, there was a change in attitude towards the GDR. • Willy Brandt influenced by the wider forces pushing the superpowers towards détente, Brandt pursued his own form of détente with East Germany – Ostpolitik – by signing the Basic Treaty , which recognized the existence of the two states.

15. Basic Treaty • They agreed to co-exist, to exchange ‘representatives’, to ease travel restrictions between the two Germanys, and to accept the status quo of European borders. • Opponents to his policy argued that recognizing the existence of East Germany meant accepting the division of Germany. • However, Brandt saw calls for unification as unrealistic and argued that his policy was based on realism. Indeed, it brought a relaxation of tension and stability to this area of Europe.

16. CW 1970-1980 • However, the wider Cold War atmosphere in the late 1970s and 1980s again influenced West Germany’s foreign policy under the new chancellor, Helmut Schmidt. • When the USSR began deploying SS-20 intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe, Chancellor Schmidt supported the setting up of similar weapons in West Germany. • The gains of Ostpolitik thus came under pressure as the détente between the US and the Soviet Union collapsed.

17. Helmut Kohl • Nevertheless, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, West Germany – under Chancellor Helmut Kohl – seized the initiative by putting forward a plan for the reunification of Germany and then leading the way in the unifi cation process. • Germany was unified in October 1990.

27. Hester Vaizey : Born in the GDR • “Never did I see or perceive a shortage of important things - like clothes or food. That was always available. However, certain fruits or foods where only available certain times of the year - such as bananas or oranges (winter time). • In general also superstores didn't have many "exotic" products, and often only products of one or two different brands. In contrast to today where there are 10+ brands of soaps, milk, clothes or whatever a store is selling”.

28. Hester Vaizey : Born in the GDR • As a kid you also did not notice things that later became obvious: the car the family had was not a very good car (a Trabant, really awful car, but everyone had the same one more or less, so nothing to complain about).

29. Hester Vaizey : Born in the GDR • “I asked my parents later what they thought about the time in east Germany, and they said it was a different society - there was less stress and less focus on careers and especially less focus on money. But then again there was less progress, and because of the close connection to west germany they where aware of the "luxuries" that were common there.”

30. Totalitarianist interpretations • No political , social and economical identity due to its formation in 1949 • Popular in 1950s West German interpretations; revival post-1989 • Comparisons drawn with brown dictatorship of NS • Stress illegitimacy of Soviet occupation & East German ‘puppets’ • State ideology of ‘socialist personality’ within collective • ‘Leading role’ of ruling party enshrined in constitution • Stasi secret police • State control of economy • Control of media • Control of economy

31. Berlin Wall as epitome of state control of individual • Breached UN human rights on freedom of travel • Also popular with many former GDR citizens; but is this because it denies personal responsibility?

32. Here are significant differences between the dialects spoken in West and East Berlin • Colloquial language developed in different ways on both sides of the Wall. Dialect was far more common in East Berlin, where it was spoken across all social classes and even in public settings. • East Berlin idioms include Asphaltblase (“asphalt bubble”) for the Trabant car and Nuttenbrosche (“hooker’s brooch”) for the fountain on Alexanderplatz. • Fried chicken was known as Broilers, while plastic was commonly referred to as Plaste.

33. Modernising dictatorship? • Complex industrial economy required ‘rational’ not ‘ideological’ elite • More university graduates enter party apparatus from 1960s • Economic reforms of 1960s (New Economic System) as a result of the Berlin Wall • Attempt at decentralisation and incentivisation of economy • Technological revolution • Special role of intelligentsia in GDR (see dividers on state emblem) • Precision engineering from Dresden & Leipzig • 1980s gamble on microchip technology (too high investment costs)

34. Social • Welfare dictatorship (Konrad Jarausch) • Indirect use of ‘social power’ to predispose groups to choose socialism • Full employment, hospitals, education system > fond memories • Educational dictatorship (Erziehungsdiktatur)? Learning Russian vs English in the West • Party ‘in loco parentis’, knowing what was good for the people

35. Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie. October 1961

36. Many people tried to escape

39. 300 Watch Tower • Electrical Barbed wire • 30 Bunkers

42. Ways to Escapes • Climbing the wall • August 17,1962 Peter Fechter, 18 Was shot as he tried to escape. • 5000 People tried to escape by climbing the wall • 100 to 200 were killed.

44. Creative Ways • Hot Air Balloons • Ultra lights

46. Young Pioneer Movement • The East German Pioneers were influenced by both Scouting and the Hitler Youth, but like the Pioneer movements in other countries, it was a school-based program. • Had to join the Pioneers (and when older the FDJ) to have any chance of a higher education like college which essentially meant a decent job. Very few East German children sid not join the Pioneers.

47. The Achievements of Socialism Katarina Witt, Olympic ice-skating champion & GDR ‘ice princess’: the GDR measured its success against the FRG in gold medals Charité hospital, Berlin: GDR polyclinics are one of the few legacies adopted by united Germany First GDR cosmonaut in 1976; from the 1960s astronomy was on all GDR school curriculums East Germany’s ‘honours system’: the state was adept at rewarding participation with a mania for badges

48. Doping for Gold – Drugs and East German sport State Plan 14.25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvKQ2kVBwTU