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Germany Divided and Reunited 1945-1991 > Past Paper Questions > Flashcards

Flashcards in Past Paper Questions Deck (16)
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1
Q

How far do you agree that the policy of Ostpolitik was the most significant development in relations between East and West Germany in the years 1949 - 1980?

A

Ostpolitik involves:
- motorway
- improved postal services
- recognition of GDR, abandonment of Hallstein Doctrine
but - Das Bild still uses ‘GDR’, athletes referred to as ‘Soviet zone’, tensions remain
- Berlin blockade and airlift, 1948-49
- Berlin Wall, 1961-1989

2
Q

How far do you agree that economic development in West Germany was significantly greater than in East Germany, in the years 1949-91?

A

West:

  • 2nd industrial nation in world
  • 3rd biggest trade country in world
  • Living standards higher
  • Marshall Aid, no USSR stripping,
  • Economic miracle

East:

  • Collectivisation ultimately successful
  • 60 per cent of industry nationalised by 1949
  • Despite USSR asset-stripping
  • Agricultural productivity doubled after collectivisation
3
Q

How far do you agree that the partition of Germany into two states in 1949 was primarily the result of currency reform?

A
  • Currency reform
  • Truman Doctrine, Marshall Aid
  • Ideological disputes
  • Suspicion
  • Disagreements at Potsdam
  • Behaviour of USSR (failure to supply agriculture to West, retaliation 1946)
  • Propaganda
4
Q

How far do you agree that the weakness of the East German economy was mainly responsible for the collapse of communism in East Germany in 1989?

A
  • Economic weakness
  • Honecker having gall-bladder surgery
  • Rising political protest (Leipzig, Monday demonstrations)
  • Loss of USSR support due to Gorbachev’s policies (Glasnost, Perestroika)
  • Mass emigration
  • Propaganda of West
5
Q

To what extent were the actions of the western Allies in the years 1945-1949 responsible for the partition of Germany into two separate states?

A
  • Western Currency Reform
  • Truman Doctrine, Marshall Aid
  • Suspicion of Communism, refuse Stalin’s plans for united, neutral Germany in 1952
    vs
  • USSR asset stripping and failure to supply produce to West
  • USSR Berlin Blockade
6
Q

How accurate is it to suggest that relations between West and East Germany greatly improved in the 1960s and 1970s?

A

Improved:

  • Ostpolitik
  • Improved postal services, motorway
  • GDR allowed to watch and listen to FRG TV and radio
  • FRG visitors allowed into GDR
  • GDR to FRG escapees no longer criminals if they want to visit family in GDR
  • Visits between Honecker and Brandt

Stayed same or worsened:

  • Berlin Wall
  • FRG increases benefits to GDR escapees
  • Das Bild ‘GDR’, athletes from Soviet zone
7
Q

To what extent did West Germany experience an ‘economic miracle’ in the years 1948-1969?

A
  • Increased living standards
  • 2nd best industrial nation in world
  • 3rd largest trader
  • Marshall Aid stimulates economy
  • Hard work of German people
  • No asset stripping like in GDR
  • Industrial assets like Ruhr, returned to FRG in 1955 after signing of the European Coal and Steel Act
8
Q

How far was the collapse of communism in East Germany in 1989 due to the influence of external pressures?

A
  • Collapse due to:
  • Economic weakness
  • Mass emigration
  • Actions of Gorbachev, loss of USSR support
  • Failure of Honecker to reform or change
  • Mass protests
  • Honecker absent, gall-bladder surgery
  • Propaganda of West
9
Q

How significant was the influence of the Soviet Union in the political and economic development of East Germany in the years 1949-1990?

A
  • Soviet Union forces merger between SPD and KED to form SED
  • Stalin desired Socialist Paradise in GDR
  • Economic changes:
  • Collectivisation
  • 60 per cent of industry nationalised by 1949
  • USSR support of soldiers enforces policies
  • USSR intervention in June Uprising, 1943
10
Q

To what extent was the rapid move towards the reunification of Germany in the years 1989-91 due to the actions of the West German government?

A
  • Propaganda

- Kohl

11
Q

How far was Konrad Adenauer responsible for the economic growth and prosperity in West Germany in the years 1949-1963?

A
  • WHAT DID KONRAD DO!?!??!
  • Marshall Aid
  • Work of German people
  • Trade with GDR
12
Q

Why were events in Berlin so important to the relations between West and East Germany in the years 1945-1991?

A
  • Symbolic
  • Berlin Blockade triggers partition
  • Berlin Airlift shows Allied determination
  • Berlin Wall finalises division and prompts unification with it’s fall
13
Q

How far do you agree that Willy Brandt was responsible for the improvements in relations between West and East Germany in the years 1969-79?

A
  • Ostpolitik highly significant

-

14
Q

To what extent was the collapse of communism in East Germany in 1989 due to the refusal of Honecker’s government to introduce political reforms?

A
  • Honecker’s stubborn
  • Economic weakness
  • USSR actions (Gorbachev)
  • Mass protest
  • Mass emigration
15
Q

How far do you agree that the Berlin Crisis was mainly responsible for the partition of Germany into two separate states in 1949?

A
  • Berlin Blockade openly aggressive
  • In response to currency reform
  • Seeds sown at Potsdam
  • Differing ideologies
  • Propaganda
  • Formation of Bizonia
16
Q

How far do you agree that communist control of East Germany in the years 1949-89 relied mainly on repressive government policies?

A
  • STASI

- Use of ex-concentration camps