Germany and Italy after World War II

1) Denazification of Germany
A) After the signing of the act of capitulation on 9 May 1945 the fate of Germany was in the
hands of the states from AntiHitler’s coalition. The allies wanted democratization of
Germany. The main authors for the Nazis’ crimes during the war had to be punished. The
German society underwent the process of denazification.
B) In 1946 in Nurnberg were opened the sessions of the International court against the Nazis
military criminals. Leading figures of the regime were the accused Goering, Hess,
Ribbentrop, Keitel. There were 12 death sentences. That was the first international tribunal
deciding accusations as genocide and crimes against the mankind.
C) After its end a long period of denazification of Germany began. It aimed at liberation of the
society (culture, media, education, economy, law and politics) from the Nazi ideology. That
was achieved by closing of many social-political organizations and the elimination of the
Nazis from their posts.
2) Democratization of the Federal republic of Germany
A) The contradictions between the Great powers on the “German question” speeded up the
process of the separation of the Western part of the country. 23 May 1949 was the birthday
of FRG. According to the constitution the chancellor exercised the executive power and had
considerable rights. The first parliamentary elections were won by the Christian Democratic
party and Christian Social alliance, which made a coalitional government led by Konrad
Adenauer. FRG managed quickly to join the acquisitions of the Western democratic model of
political development.
3) Germany on the road to its unification
A) On the parliamentary elections in 1949 the German Social democratic party and the party of
the Free democrats won and formed the coalitional government led by Willy Brandt. The
Social democrats were on power for 13 years.In the end of 1969 Bonn restored the
diplomatic relations with Moscow and rejected its pretentions for change of the existing
borders in Europe. In 1974 the two German states were accepted in the UN.
B) In 1983 Helmut Kohl became chancellor of FRG from the Christian democratic party. He
ruled four consecutive terms. His name remained related to the unification of the two
German states on 3 October 1990. An important task was to equal the standard of life of the
two German states which was a long process. The difficulties were overcame and Germany
again became a decisive factor in the international relations.
4) Italy separated from fascism
A) The Italian transition to democracy was speeded up by the existence of a mighty antifascist
movement and strong left in the face of the communist and socialist party. The fascist
ideology did not penetrate deep in the minds of the majority of the Italians and the process
of its elimination from the social life was quick and not painful. The royal institution was
responsible for the misfortunes of the Italian people too. That is why together with the
elections for Constituent Assembly was held a referendum for the future political structure
of Italy. The supporters of the republic were more and king Umberto II left Italy.
B) In the end of 1947, the Constituent Assembly accepted the new constitution. It had social
duties to the population. The constitution was one of the most democratic in Western
 Europe and was a classical example of a parliamentary democracy. In 1955 Italy was
accepted in the UN.
5) The era of coalitional governments
A) The first afterwar parliamentary elections were held in 1948. The leader of the Christian
Democratic Party Alcide de Gasperi had absolute majority in the parliament and ruled till
1953. After him for 10 years were changed 12 governments. In 1962 Amintore Fanfani
formed the first left-centre government, followed by two other led by Aldo Moro. In them
participated the prime ministers from that party too. That saved the political system from
serious clashes.
B) In the 70s XXc. The Italian governments felt the unfavourable consequences from the
economic instability of the country. The neofascist Italian social movement developed and
tried to take part in the politics. On the parliamentary elections in 1972 neofascists had
more than 8% of the votes and their party became fourth political power in Italy. After the
elections in 1976 the Christian democratic party again became a dominant power. The
communist party had more than 30% of the votes.
C) During the parliamentary elections in 1979 the Italian political life started the beginning of
“five-partism” in which the Christian democratic party concluded an agreement with the
republicans, liberals, social democrates and socialists. Their leaders changed on the post of
the prime minister. In 1983 for prime minister was chosen Bettino Kraxi. That did not
stabilize the political situation.There was corruption and banditism. That led to the end of
the First Italian republic in the beginning of 90s and the politicians started a new beginning,
united in new political formations.