Western Europe: Political Reconstruction

Many of postwar reforms focused on a desire for social reforms o Women received the right to vote in France, Italy, and Switzerland o Provide security for old age, disability, ill health, and unemployment The European welfare states emerged Christian Democrats played key roles in most new gov’ts of Western Europe o Represents conservative and business interests with Christian morals as guidance

Great Britain and the Labour Party Post-WWII, The Labour Party won majority of Parliament Britain had parliamentary socialism and the modern welfare state o Nationalization of major industries occurred o Social insurance provided for old age and unemployment o A national health service was created  higher income taxes Labour and Conservatives each take turns running the gov’t Great Britain continues to support strains of socialism

The Federal Republic of Germany “denazification” occurred along with the Nuremburg Trials W. Germany  private industry, capitalist economy, and broad social services o Labor unions and industry worked together to moderate wages The Basic Law established the new country and an extensive bill of rights Gov’t: Chancellor and proportional representation in two legislative houses

Postwar France: Political Instability France has had five republics since 1792 o —the First Republic o —the Second Republic o —the Third Republic o —the Fourth Republic o 1958-present—the Fifth Republic What is a republic? o A government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives who are responsible to them and who govern according to the law.