Federal election 1949:votes from ruins

Germany 1949:The Germans have been living in peace for four years now. But people are still a long way from normal everyday life, even in Schleswig-Holstein. Children play among the ruins of destroyed houses. In Kiel and elsewhere, entire streets are in ruins. It will be years before the reconstruction is complete. The same applies to the integration of the millions of refugees in Germany. Many Schleswig-Holstein residents are also suspicious of the new roommates. Their accommodation is still a huge problem. But despite everything, an upswing is noticeable.

Slow start of rebuild

The Basic Law has been passed - and the federal elections for the people of Schleswig-Holstein are another important step on the way back to the longed-for normality. One of the people who also had high hopes for this in Kiel at the time was the later SPD mayor of Neumünster, Uwe Harder:"Reconstruction had begun slowly but surely. Some of the makeshift apartments had been rebuilt and prepared. The economy was gradually and after revived." Harder studied law and economics in Kiel as a young man in 1949:"The population had the feeling that the election was a step further towards an organized state."

camp election campaign between CDU and SPD

However, Germany is not only on the way to becoming a divided country because of the looming East-West problem. Even within West Germany, a deep rift runs through the population. Because during the federal election campaign in 1949 it became increasingly clear that a fundamental decision about the future orientation of the young republic was imminent. "It was a camp election campaign, of course," says Uwe Harder today. On the one hand there are the CDU and FDP, on the other hand above all the Social Democrats. Konrad Adenauer and Ludwig Erhard are the decisive men in the newly founded Christian Democratic Union, who advocate strong leanings towards the West and the USA without compromise.

Fear of Communism

At the time, Adenauer was convinced that the only chance of escaping a communist dictatorship was to integrate Germany into the West. In return, he also takes the risk that the Germans in the East could remain in the Soviet Union's sphere of influence in the long term. On the other side:Kurt Schumacher, the charismatic head of the Social Democrats, who campaigns for a neutral and socialist Germany as a whole.

"Glued election posters all night long"

In 1949, the battle of ideologies was waged with a heavy hand. "We didn't treat each other squeamishly," says Harder, smiling a little mischievously:"Adenauer introduced the Cold War politically during the election campaign. Schumacher was almost called a communist, a threat."

Herbert Gerisch can only confirm that. "The tone was rough. Without a doubt. Rough, but not hostile," says the 91-year-old CDU politician, who, among other things, was a member of the state parliament for his party for several years, a member of the state executive board and mayor of Neumünster. "At the time, we were convinced that whoever votes for the Socialists will attract Communism." That's why Gerisch was not above any task at the time. He spends a number of nights hanging up election posters for the CDU in Neumünster - all for his conviction:"If you want to inspire others, you also have to stand up for your convictions."

Speaker vans spread political messages

The election posters characterize the picture in the cities of Schleswig-Holstein. "But the parties' loudspeaker vans still drove regularly through the streets," Harder recalls. At that time, the appearances of top politicians were much more important than they are today. "When Adenauer or Schumacher came to Kiel, the Ostseehalle was closed. Nobody went in anymore. Those were real highlights. Of course I also watched Adenauer when he was here in Kiel. You couldn't miss that! "

Adenauer also celebrated like a pop star in Neumünster

Herbert Gerisch made a name for himself in the ranks of the CDU in Neumünster as early as 1949 as an organizational talent. That's why he's responsible for Adenauer's visit to Neumünster:"Adenauer was supposed to give his speech in the Holstenhalle. And he was traveling by train. So I thought to myself:he has to be given a proper welcome. So I organized the only Mercedes 300, that was all over Neumünster at the time. I borrowed it from a leather manufacturer at the time. And we used it to pick up Adenauer at the train station," says Gerisch, not without pride.

Adenauer's appearance becomes a unique event in Neumünster. "The hall was completely overcrowded with 6,700 people. We then hung up loudspeakers outside because there were probably 3,000 people still standing in front of the gates of the hall and couldn't get in."

Field telephone for contact with the Chancellery

At that time there was a long row of tables in the hall, at which Gerisch was also sitting. Believe it or not, there are nine old field telephones like those used in the war under his seat. "Back then, communication wasn't as easy as it is today. For example, I had a field telephone that I could use to contact the Federal Chancellery, one was for contact with the police, another for the train station. That it was an incredible effort." But this effort should be worth it:"Adenauer's performance was unbelievable. He only needed to say a few sentences and there was tremendous applause. A cauldron beyond compare - in a positive sense!"

People are waiting on the radio for election results

The long wait begins on election night. There are no forecasts or projections yet. "I ran from one polling station in Neumünster to the next because I wanted to know at least how things turned out in our city," said Gerisch. Some people also stand together on the streets and follow the results from their cities on large boards that have been set up. Uwe Harder in Kiel has no choice but to wait and see. "We held out until midnight. In the end I heard the result on the radio."

The rest is known. The CDU wins the election just ahead of the SPD and becomes the strongest force in the first Bundestag. The Christian Democrats form the first government with the FDP, and Konrad Adenauer becomes the first Federal Chancellor of the young republic.