Federal Government vs. Länder: The Battle for Broadcasting (1955–69)

Abstract

From 1949 to 1963 Germany was led by a Conservative government under the Catholic Konrad Adenauer, the first German Federal Chancellor in the post-war period under whose aegis Germany regained its independence. Between 1951 and 1955 Adenauer also served as foreign secretary and his stake in determining the post-war political orientation of the young FRG was immense. Adenauer followed a resolute policy of allying Germany with its European neighbours and the Western powers (US, UK, France). In 1955 Germany became a NATO member. The Adenauer government also implemented the social market economy in Germany.