Coalition Policy, Federalism and the Basic Law

Abstract

Adenauer and Schumacher — It was during the spring and summer of 1948 that Adenauer emerged clearly and uncontestably as the single most dominant CDU leader of the three western zones. His preeminence in the British zone had been evident since 1946; now the Russians’ removal of Kaiser had removed his single serious rival from a position of zonal power. At the same time the course of developments which transformed the zonal boundaries into an “Iron Curtain” indirectly helped to solidify Adenauer’s position. The introduction of separate German currencies, the beginning of the Berlin blockade, Western talks which led to the formation of NATO and the start of the constitutional talks in Bonn — all of which occurred in the summer of 1948 — made the argument of those who wanted to prevent the CDU from opting for anything but an “all-German solution” appear futile and unrealistic. It was apparent that Germans could not prevent the political division of their country. Should not at least the three western zones make the best of the freedom, limited partnership and Marshall Plan aid offered by the West? The acceptance of the opportunity to create a West German state meant in turn that the dominant party leaders were made conscious of the need to strengthen cohesion and discipline in their own ranks in preparation for the imminent elections and the formation of a national government.