Germany, c. 1945-1960 Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1990

The reason for this exceptionally long delay was the Cold War. This treaty was signed on 12 September 1990 between the Allies on the one hand and the two German states on the other, subject to ratification by a future united Germany. The Allies had issued a declaration in 1947 stating that they were no longer at war with Germany.

Answer: 1949

The establishment of two rival German states, each claiming to be the "true Germany", resulted from the Cold War and lasted till the "Fall of the Wall".

Answer: German women

Bombing had in many cases made the carriageway too narrow for use by vehicles. It was the "Trümmerfrauen" who cleared the rubble. The pay was miserable but they and their children were given decent meals. In some severely bombed towns and cities temporary railways were constructed to help remove the rubble.

Answer: All of these countries

An estimated 11.7 million Germans were expelled from their homes and deported, mainly to the Western zones of Germany. There is much controversy about the number killed in the process. West Germany absorbed the 'expellees' extremely well and most of the camps for expellees were dissolved by the end of 1952.

The unexpectedly rapid economic recovery in West Germany ensured that expellees of working age found employment.

Answer: Konrad Adenauer

Adenauer had been active in politics during the Empire and the Weimar period. He had for a very long time been pro-Western. Ludwig Ehrhard was the first Minister of Economics and one of the key architects of reconstruction after the war. Stresemann was a very successful politician of the Weimar period. Rathenau's best known achievements in politics date from 1914-22, when he was assassinated by an extreme right-wing organization.

Answer: 1953

The uprising of June 1953, which began with strikes and protests by construction workers was quickly suppressed. It has been suggested by some that they may have overrated the significance of Stalin's death in March 1953.

Answer: True

It was a bold step, done against the wishes and advice of the Western Allies. For a few observers in Britain, where most animal products remained rationed till 1954, it was an early sign that Britain wasn't doing so well as a victor.

Answer: Bonn

This small university city, which also enjoyed a certain popularity with retired army officers, was officially chosen in order to be unconvincing as the "capital of Germany". Other have claimed that the body that chose Bonn was bribed by local landowners. Many government offices stayed in Bonn and in practical terms it took a while to move the capital.

Answer: True

By refusing to to recognize even the USSR till 1955 the Adenauer government did German POWs in the Soviet Union a very real disservice. Many German prisoners were in effect held as hostages till the Soviet Union was recognized.

Answer: True

No other European state was as enthusiastically in favour of European union as West Germany. For many West Germans, 'Europe' for a long time seemed to offer a substitute for German national identity.