A provisional constitution for West Germany
The Parliamentary Council, summoned in Bonn by the three Western occupying powers in June 1948, worked until May 1949 to draw up what became known as the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) to function as a constitution for a new West German state. Approved by the military governors in early May 1949, it was adopted by the various West German state parliaments in mid-May before being signed into force on 23 May by the members of the Parliamentary Council, the presidents of the West German state parliaments and the members of West Berlin’s parliament. It applied to the 11 states that made up West Germany and to West Berlin, with certain restrictions.
The Basic Law defines the governing principles of the Federal Republic of Germany: democracy, fundamental rights, the rule of law, federalism and the welfare state. Despite functioning as a constitution, it was not referred to as such, as it foresaw the eventual reunification of Germany and held out the option for a renegotiation of its provisions. The legal text was therefore viewed as being an interim document until French-controlled Saarland and the Soviet Zone of Occupation were able to join its jurisdiction. Although French plans to annex the Saarland were abandoned in 1957 and the small region joined West Germany, the people of the DDR had to wait until 1990 for the completion of the reunification foreseen by the authors of this “provisional” constitutional document.
About the Deutschlandmuseum
An immersive and innovative experience museum about 2000 years of German history
The whole year at a glance
