Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 4 Establishing and…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 4 Establishing and ruling the new Federal Republic, 1949–60: The importance of Adenauer and the CDU in shaping the new Federal Republic. Changes in the nature of the SPD and their significance for the shaping of the Federal Republic.
Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor from 1949 to 1963, and the CDU/CSU shaped the FRG through Western integration, the social market economy, and a pragmatic, anti-communist stance.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor from 1949 to 1963, and the CDU/CSU shaped the FRG through Western integration, the social market economy, and a pragmatic, anti-communist stance. Adenauer's authority, his chancellorship style, and the CDU's broad confessional and regional base helped stabilise the new democracy. Meanwhile the SPD transformed from a Marxist-influenced workers' party into a catch-all party, culminating in the Bad Godesberg Programme of 1959, which accepted the social market economy and NATO membership. This shift broadened the SPD's appeal and made it a credible governing alternative, contributing to the consolidation of the FRG's party system and democratic legitimacy.
What earns the marks
- Explains Adenauer's role in shaping the FRG through Western integration, rearmament, and the social market economy.
- Analyses how the CDU/CSU's broad base and Adenauer's chancellorship style contributed to political stability.
- Explains the SPD's transformation from a class-based party to a catch-all party, including the Bad Godesberg Programme.
- Assesses the significance of the SPD's change for the party system and for the legitimacy of the FRG.
- Evaluates the relative importance of Adenauer, the CDU, and the SPD in shaping the Federal Republic in the 1950s.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the SPD's change as sudden or complete in 1959.
Put it right: It was a gradual process with roots in the 1940s and 1950s.
Assuming the CDU was a monolithic party.
Put it right: It was a broad coalition of Christian, conservative, and liberal strands.
Confusing the social market economy with socialism.
Put it right: It combined free markets with social welfare and was championed by Erhard and the CDU.
Exam tips
- Use specific evidence: Bad Godesberg Programme, social market economy, Western integration, Hallstein Doctrine.
- Compare the CDU and SPD in terms of ideology, support base, and contribution to stability.
- Link party change to the wider theme of democratic consolidation in the FRG.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited - 4 Establishing and ruling the new Federal Republic, 1949–60: The importance of Adenauer and the CDU in shaping the new Federal Republic. Changes in the nature of the SPD and their significance for the shaping of the Federal Republic. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Who was the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany?
Listen
Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor from 1949 to 1963, and the CDU/CSU shaped the FRG through Western integration, the social market economy, and a pragmatic, anti-communist stance. Adenauer's authority, his chancellorship style, and the CDU's broad confessional and regional base helped stabilise the new democracy. Meanwhile the SPD transformed from a Marxist-influenced workers' party into a catch-all party, culminating in the Bad Godesberg Programme of 1959, which accepted the social market economy and NATO membership. This shift broadened the SPD's appeal and made it a credible governing alternative, contributing to the consolidation of the FRG's party system and democratic legitimacy. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains Adenauer's role in shaping the FRG through Western integration, rearmament, and the social market economy. Analyses how the CDU/CSU's broad base and Adenauer's chancellorship style contributed to political stability. Explains the SPD's transformation from a class-based party to a catch-all party, including the Bad Godesberg Programme. Assesses the significance of the SPD's change for the party system and for the legitimacy of the FRG. A common slip: Treating the SPD's change as sudden or complete in 1959. Instead, it was a gradual process with roots in the 1940s and 1950s. Exam tip: Use specific evidence: Bad Godesberg Programme, social market economy, Western integration, Hallstein Doctrine.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Political leadership and chancellorship
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Party transformation and catch-all politics
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Economic and social policy
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Democratic consolidation and legitimacy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Political leadership and chancellorship
- Adenauer's authority and his chancellorship style helped stabilise the new democracy.
- Party transformation and catch-all politics
- The SPD transformed from a Marxist-influenced workers' party into a catch-all party, which broadened its appeal.
- Economic and social policy
- The CDU/CSU shaped the FRG through the social market economy, which combined free markets with social welfare.
- Democratic consolidation and legitimacy
- The SPD's shift made it a credible governing alternative, contributing to the consolidation of the party system and democratic legitimacy.
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