sep 15, 1949 - Adenauer (CDU) becomes Chancellor following elections

Description:

Problems:

Addressing the legacy of the war:
-Rebuilding devastated towns and cities
-Victims of bombing living in temporary accommodation
-Country full of refugees and expellees
-Those who suffered under the Nazis sought compensation

Adenauer's response:
-1950 Construction Law, a generous system of grants to Lander and cities. 4m homes built by 1957. 'Reconstruction'
-Government programmes ensured 're-integration' of refugees and expellees
-1953 Equalisation of Burdens Act, compensation to victims of bombing and victims of Nazi crimes. 'Restitution'


Ensuring Social stability and economic growth:
-Rationing
-Import controls
-Bureaucratic regulation

Adenauer's response:
-April 1949 Collective Bargaining Law, provided participation of workers in decision-making within factories - 'Labour Relations'
-1951 legislation, representation of workers in management of large coal and steel companies
-Measures helped ensure peaceful labour relations
-1951 , '131 Law' former Nazis employable as civil servants
-New welfare reforms. 'Restoration'
-1957 Pensions Act, increase on former pensions


Military and foreign affairs:
-Debate in Bundestag about foreign policy and military state of Germany
-Resist Communism in the East
-Degree to which reunification should be sacrificed for greater integration with the West
-Magnet Theory

Adenauer's response:
-1956, creation of the Bundeswehr. Maintain control at home, also as part of Western Europe vs Soviets.
-Parliamentary Chief Commissioner appointed to take control and an advisory committee review the appointment of senior officers
-1955, FRG in NATO
-1957, founder member of EEC
-1957, joined European Defence Community

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