‘Extra-parliamentary opposition posed a significant threat to the stability of West Germany in the years 1966 to 1989.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2021
Topic
The Quest for Political Stability: Germany, 1871-1991
👑Complete Model Essay
‘Extra-parliamentary opposition posed a significant threat to the stability of West Germany in the years 1966 to 1989.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Extra-Parliamentary Opposition in West Germany (1966-1989)
The statement posits that extra-parliamentary opposition posed a significant threat to the stability of West Germany between 1966 and 1989. To assess this claim, we must examine the nature and impact of these movements, considering both their potential to destabilize and the limitations they faced.
The Rise of Extra-Parliamentary Opposition
The late 1960s witnessed a surge in extra-parliamentary opposition in West Germany. Triggered by student protests in 1966 and fueled by events like the shooting of Benno Ohnesorg in 1967, the ‘June 2nd Movement’ emerged, uniting student groups across universities. This movement, alongside the broader Außerparlamentarische Opposition (APO), organized numerous protests against issues like the Emergency Laws, nuclear armament, the Vietnam War, and the ruling coalition. These protests, often marked by violence, created a palpable atmosphere of crisis.
Adding to the turmoil, the Red Army Faction (RAF), a radical left-wing group, emerged from the APO in 1969. The RAF's campaign of robberies, kidnappings, and murders shocked West German society. Their connection to international groups like the PLO and, as later revealed, their support from the East German Stasi, amplified the perceived threat they posed.
Furthermore, the mid-1970s saw the rise of environmental activism. These extra-parliamentary groups garnered significant support and organized large-scale demonstrations, sometimes resulting in violent clashes with the police. This wave of environmental activism extended into the 1980s, presenting another challenge to the West German government.
Limited Impact and the Shift Towards Parliamentary Engagement
Despite their visible presence, the impact of these extra-parliamentary groups on West German stability was arguably limited. The Grand Coalition government successfully passed the controversial Emergency Laws amendment despite strong opposition from the APO. By the end of 1969, the APO itself began to fragment, weakened by internal disagreements and the absorption of many of its members into mainstream society.
The election of the SPD government in 1969, led first by Willy Brandt and then Helmut Schmidt, further diminished the appeal of extra-parliamentary action. These governments provided a democratic outlet for left-wing views, absorbing some of the discontent that had fueled the APO. Both Brandt and Schmidt also took decisive action against the RAF, strengthening the police force and garnering public support for their tough stance against terrorism. These measures proved effective in containing the threat posed by the RAF.
Similarly, the environmental movement underwent a significant transformation. Many activists recognized the limitations of extra-parliamentary pressure and opted for engagement within the existing political system. This led to the formation of the Green Party in 1980, which achieved considerable success, winning 27 seats in the 1983 federal election. This transition exemplified a broader shift towards channeling dissent through established political channels.
Conclusion
While extra-parliamentary opposition undoubtedly contributed to a sense of unease and instability in West Germany between 1966 and 1989, characterizing them as a "significant threat" to the nation's stability is debatable. While groups like the RAF presented a serious security challenge, their impact remained limited. Moreover, the broader movements for social and environmental change ultimately found more success and influence after transitioning to engagement within the West German parliamentary system. This suggests that while these extra-parliamentary oppositions played a role in shaping West German society, their long-term impact was more nuanced than posing a direct threat to the nation's overall stability.
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Essay Plan: Extra-Parliamentary Opposition in West Germany
This essay will assess the statement: "Extra-parliamentary opposition posed a significant threat to the stability of West Germany in the years 1966 to 1989." It will argue that while extra-parliamentary opposition was a serious challenge, it was ultimately not a decisive threat to West German stability.
Argument 1: The Threat of Extra-Parliamentary Opposition
A. The Student Movement:
⭐The "June 2nd Movement" and the APO: Demonstrations, violence, and the atmosphere of crisis.
⭐The 1968 protests: Opposition to the Emergency Laws, nuclear weapons, the Vietnam War, and the Grand Coalition.
B. The Red Army Faction (RAF):
⭐Robberies, kidnappings, and murders: The impact on public opinion and perception of threat.
⭐International connections: Links to the PLO and the Stasi, raising the potential for wider destabilization.
C. Environmental Opposition:
⭐Growth in the 1970s: Demonstrations and clashes with police, representing a significant body of public opinion.
⭐Continuity into the 1980s: The potential for ongoing unrest and disruption.
Argument 2: Limits to the Threat
A. The Response of the State:
⭐The Emergency Laws: Passed despite opposition, demonstrating the resilience of the parliamentary system.
⭐The decline of the APO: Internal divisions, academic success, and the rise of democratic alternatives.
⭐The suppression of the RAF: Action by Brandt and Schmidt, increased police powers, and public support for law enforcement.
B. The Evolution of Opposition:
⭐The emergence of the Green Party: A move from extra-parliamentary to parliamentary opposition.
⭐The effectiveness of parliamentary channels: The Green Party's electoral success and the integration of environmental concerns into mainstream politics.
Conclusion
While extra-parliamentary opposition posed a significant challenge to West Germany during this period, it did not fatally undermine the stability of the state. The strength of the democratic institutions, the effectiveness of state responses, and the evolution of opposition groups towards more conventional methods all demonstrate that the threat was contained. The country remained a stable democracy, albeit one that had to adapt to new challenges posed by grassroots activism and political violence.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
The Rise and Fall of Extra-Parliamentary Opposition in West Germany
Following the student protests in 1966 at the Free University of Berlin, and the shooting of Benno Ohnesorg in June 1967, there were organised protest groups in all German universities by the end of 1967 under the umbrella of the ‘June 2nd Movement’. The APO organised hundreds of protests in 1968 and 1969 in opposition to the Emergency Laws, nuclear weapons, the Vietnam War and the coalition government. Many protests turned violent and the atmosphere of crisis was very real in many people’s eyes.
From 1969, a hard core of extreme left-wing radicals formed the Red Army Faction (Baader-Meinhof Gang). The RAF carried out a wave of robberies, kidnapping and murders which shocked most West Germans, who considered the RAF a significant threat to society. The RAF had links with international groups such as the PLO and, it was later revealed, assistance from the Stasi. Such support increased the potential scope of RAF terrorism.
Extra-parliamentary environmental opposition groups emerged in the mid-1970s and grew to represent a significant body of opinion within West Germany. Large demonstrations by environmentalists continued into the 1980s, sometimes resulting in violent clashes with the police.
Extra-parliamentary opposition could do nothing to prevent the Grand Coalition government from passing the ‘Emergency Laws’ amendment to the constitution. By the end of 1969, the APO had passed its peak. There were internal arguments over tactics and most of the student protestors took their degrees and then pursued careers in the mainstream economy and society. The ending of the Grand Coalition, and the election of an SPD government in 1969, provided a democratic outlet for the left-wing views of many of the former protestors from the APO.
Both Brandt and Schmidt took determined action to prevent the escalation of terrorist activity in the 1970s. Police numbers and powers were increased which proved effective in restricting the terrorist threat. Public opinion was also supportive of their actions and disdainful of the RAF.
Many environmental activists came to the conclusion that opposition from within the parliamentary system was likely to be far more effective than extra-parliamentary opposition. In 1980, the Green Party was formed and it won 27 seats in the 1983 election.