West and East Germany Flashcards

Flashcards for review of West and East Germany after WWII

Konrad Adenauer

First chancellor of West Germany who helped rebuild the country and supported democracy and ties with the West.

Helmut Kohl

Long serving West German chancellor known for leading Germany through reunification in 1990.

Basic Law or Grundgesetz of 1949

West Germany's temporary constitution that became the foundation for modern Germany's democracy.

NATO

A military alliance between Western countries, including West Germany, to defend against the Soviet threat.

Warsaw Pact

A Soviet led military alliance of Eastern Bloc countries formed in response to NATO.

The Federal Republic of Germany (BRD)

The official name for democratic West Germany, founded in 1949.

Potsdam Conference

1945 meeting where Allied leaders decided how to deal with postwar Germany.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to stop the spread of communism by supporting free countries like West Germany.

Berlin Airlift

1948-1949 mission where the Allies flew supplies into West Berlin after the Soviets blocked access.

Nuremberg Trials

Court trials after WWII that punished top Nazi leaders for war crimes.

Parliamentary Council of Bonn

Group that wrote the Basic Law for West Germany in 1948-49.

CDU/CSU

A major conservative political party alliance in West Germany that supported capitalism and Western ties.

Ludwig Erhard

West German economy minister who led the "economic miracle" with free market reforms.

Pluralism

A political system where many groups and parties can exist and influence government.

SPD

The Social Democratic Party, a major center/left party in Germany focused on workers' rights and social reform.

FDP

A liberal political party in Germany that often acted as a coalition partner.

KPD

The Communist Party of Germany, which was banned in West Germany during the Cold War.

"economic miracle"

The nickname for West Germany's rapid economic recovery in the 1950s and 1960s.

Trummerfrauen

Women who helped clear rubble and rebuild cities after WWII.

German Democratic Republic (GDR)

Communist East Germany, created in 1949 and controlled by the Soviet Union.

Luxembourg Agreement

A 1952 deal where West Germany paid reparations to Israel for Holocaust crimes.

Berlin Wall

A wall built by East Germany in 1961 to stop people from escaping to West Berlin.

Berlin Blockade

Soviet attempt in 1948-49 to cut off West Berlin from food and supplies.

Stasi

East Germany's secret police that spied on citizens and crushed opposition.

The Law of the Equality of the Sexes 1957

Law that gave men and women equal rights in marriage and family.

Pensions Reform Act 1957

Law that improved retirement benefits for workers in West Germany.

Co-determination Law 1951

Law allowing workers to help make decisions in big companies.

Marshall Plan

U.S. aid program that gave money and supplies to rebuild Europe, including West Germany.

Works' Constitution Law 1951

Gave workers rights to form councils and be involved in company decisions.

Stunde Null (Zero Hour)

The idea that Germany had to start fresh after the total collapse in 1945.