OCR Specification focus:
‘The creation of West Germany and the DDR; the Basic Law and constitution of West Germany; the 1949 election; the economic miracle’
The division of Germany after 1945 reshaped Europe, as political, economic, and constitutional developments established two states: the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in the West and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the East.
Map showing West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR) as constituted in 1949. The Inner German border is marked, with Berlin located within the GDR but divided. Source
The Division of Germany
Following the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, the Allies divided the country into four occupation zones: American, British, French, and Soviet. Berlin, although located within the Soviet zone, was also split into four sectors. Cooperation between the Allies quickly deteriorated due to growing Cold War tensions, leading to the development of separate political and economic systems.
By 1949, the Western Allies (USA, Britain, France) had merged their zones into Bizonia (later Trizonia) to coordinate economic recovery. In contrast, the Soviet zone began centralising administration under communist influence. The Berlin Blockade of 1948–49 highlighted these divisions, and its failure encouraged the Western Allies to push ahead with state formation.
The Creation of West Germany
Steps towards Statehood
In 1948, Western powers convened the London Six-Power Conference, recommending a democratic constitution for a new West German state.
The Parliamentary Council, led by Konrad Adenauer, drafted the constitution in Bonn.
On 23 May 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was officially founded, with Bonn as its provisional capital.
The Basic Law
The FRG was deliberately not given a ‘constitution’ but a Basic Law, to emphasise that the state was provisional until German reunification.
Basic Law: The founding legal framework of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), intended as a temporary constitution until reunification, emphasising democratic freedoms and federalism.
Key features included:
Federal structure with power shared between central government and Länder (states).
Parliamentary democracy centred on the Bundestag (lower house) and Bundesrat (upper house).
A strong chancellor system to avoid the instability of Weimar’s coalition politics.
Civil liberties guaranteed, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.
The Federal Constitutional Court to safeguard rights and check government authority.
The Basic Law was ratified by the Western zones’ Länder, though Bavaria symbolically rejected it, highlighting concerns over sovereignty.
The 1949 Federal Election
The first election under the Basic Law took place on 14 August 1949. The results shaped the early identity of the FRG:
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU), led by Konrad Adenauer, won the most seats but fell short of a majority.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), under Kurt Schumacher, remained the main opposition.
Adenauer was elected as the first Chancellor, supported by a coalition with smaller liberal and conservative parties.
This election established a conservative-led, Western-oriented democracy, contrasting sharply with developments in the Soviet zone.
The Creation of the DDR
The Soviet response to West German statehood was the establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in October 1949.
Key characteristics included:
A constitution guaranteeing rights, though these were subordinate to the Socialist Unity Party (SED).
Walter Ulbricht, leader of the SED, ensured a one-party dictatorship under Soviet supervision.
Political life was controlled by the National Front, a bloc of parties dominated by the SED.
Thus, Germany was now divided into two rival states, each claiming to be the legitimate Germany.
The Economic Miracle
Post-War Economic Recovery
The FRG experienced rapid economic growth during the 1950s, often referred to as the Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle).
Wirtschaftswunder: The period of rapid economic recovery and growth in West Germany during the 1950s and early 1960s, driven by reforms, aid, and industrial modernisation.
Key factors driving this included:
Marshall Aid: The USA provided financial support and resources for rebuilding.
Currency Reform (1948): Introduction of the Deutsche Mark stabilised prices and restored confidence.
Erhard’s Social Market Economy: Economic Minister Ludwig Erhard balanced free-market policies with social welfare provision.
Skilled Labour Force: Returning soldiers and displaced persons boosted the workforce.
Global Economic Boom: Demand for German industrial goods, particularly steel, machinery, and automobiles, stimulated exports.
Social and Political Impact
The economic boom had far-reaching consequences:
Rising living standards, improved housing, and growing consumerism transformed daily life.
Support for democracy increased as prosperity undermined extremism.
Adenauer and the CDU/CSU used economic success to consolidate political dominance.
Contrast with the DDR
While the FRG prospered, the GDR’s centrally planned economy faced difficulties. The Soviet Union demanded heavy reparations, stripping resources and slowing recovery. Collectivisation and nationalisation policies alienated many citizens, contributing to mass emigration to the West through Berlin before the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961.
Significance of the Basic Law and Division
The Basic Law ensured political stability in West Germany, avoiding the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic. It created a robust democratic framework that endured beyond reunification in 1990. The division into FRG and GDR crystallised the Cold War divide in Europe, with West Germany integrated into Western alliances while East Germany became a Soviet satellite.
FAQ
Bonn was selected partly for symbolic reasons. Berlin, though historically significant, lay within the Soviet zone and was politically unviable. Frankfurt was considered, but it was too prominent and risked signalling permanence, undermining the Basic Law’s emphasis on provisionality until reunification. Bonn, as a modest university town associated with Konrad Adenauer, was seen as temporary and less provocative to the Soviets.
The Weimar Constitution was drafted in 1919 at Weimar by a National Assembly elected during revolution. In contrast, the Basic Law was drafted by a Parliamentary Council in 1948–49, under Allied supervision.
Key differences included:
Emphasis on provisional status.
Stronger checks on executive power.
Greater Allied influence shaping democratic safeguards.
Adenauer chaired the Parliamentary Council responsible for drafting the Basic Law. He was instrumental in promoting:
A strong chancellorship.
Western alignment rather than neutrality.
Acceptance of a provisional capital at Bonn.
He also steered the CDU/CSU to victory in 1949, ensuring continuity between the Basic Law’s provisions and the political system that emerged.
Bavaria feared the new FRG would centralise power and weaken traditional state autonomy. It was historically conservative and wary of federal overreach.
However, the Basic Law required only a majority of Länder for ratification, so Bavaria’s opposition was overridden. Despite this symbolic rejection, Bavaria accepted its legal inclusion in the FRG once the Basic Law came into force.
The 1949 election produced a fragmented parliament:
CDU/CSU: plurality, but no majority.
SPD: strong but insufficient to govern.
FDP and other small parties: held balance of power.
This necessitated a coalition government. Adenauer built alliances with smaller parties, showing early on that despite reforms, coalition-building remained essential to German politics under the Basic Law.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
In which year was the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) officially founded, and what was chosen as its provisional capital?
Mark scheme:
1 mark for the correct year: 1949.
1 mark for the correct provisional capital: Bonn.
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain two features of the Basic Law that were designed to avoid the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic.
Mark scheme:
Up to 3 marks per feature, maximum 6 marks in total.
Award 1 mark for identifying a relevant feature, and up to 2 further marks for explaining its significance or function.
Indicative content (answers do not need to include all points):
Strong Chancellor system: ensured executive stability and reduced dependence on unstable coalition governments.
Federal structure: devolved power to Länder, limiting overcentralisation.
Federal Constitutional Court: acted as a safeguard against abuses of power, protecting democratic rights.
Civil liberties guaranteed: prevented authoritarian interference and entrenched freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion.
