Synopsis C, The Emergence of West Germany and the German Problem, August-December 1949
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OCR Page 1 of 9(Page. 1)
THE EMERGENCE OF WEST GERMANY AND THE GERMAN PROBLEM
August - December 1949
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The August 1949
The campaign for the national elections in
elections
Western Germany scheduled for August 14 began in
July. Economic and religious issues appeared to be
debated most frequently and intensely, but there
ARCHIVES 'NATIONAL RECORDS TRUMAN AND
were overtones of anti-occupation sentiment. The
election results gave the Christian Democrats 7.3
million votes and 139 seats in the Bundestag; the
SERVICE"
Social Democrats obtained 6.9 million votes and
131 seats. Adenauer was elected Chancellor on
September 14 by a margin of one vote.
DGA. comments
In a statement issued on August 17, DGA commented
on the German elections. He expressed the satis-
faction of the United States government at the
outcome, describing it as " victory for moder-
ation and common sense. " He also referred to "some
of the nationalistic and critical utterances of the
candidates during the campaign, and warned the
Germans that abuse of their freedoms might
"alienate Western sympathies while failing to
serve the best interests of the German people. 11
He said that "the unexpectedly large participation
of nearly 80 per cent of the eligible voters is
gratifying evidence that the Germans have taken
seriously their new civic responsibilities. " DGA
also welcomed the results of the elections "in so
far as they indicate a decision by the Germans to
seek a solution of their economic difficulties
through a system of free enterprise."
At the same time DGA observed that the US would
favor Western German membership in the Council of
Europe (which had just been established), but the
invitation would have to be issued by the Council
and considered by the Germans. He said further the
US would not attempt to influence a decision one
way or another. On the 19th the French High Com-
missioner for Germany said that the Germans must
inevitably participate in the Council of Europe,
for a "Europe without Germany would be a crippled
Europe. " He added that approval of German member-
ship would depend on the conduct of the new
government.
Adenauer indicates interest
On August 23 Adenauer held a press conference and
in the Atlantic Treaty
it was reported that he expressed a desire that
Germany participate in the North Atlantic Treaty.
On the following day, Adenauer denied that he had
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