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How Germany Got Back on Its Feet After WWII

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Darcy

19/06/2023

History

FRG Economy

How Germany Got Back on Its Feet After WWII

The German economic recovery post-WWII represents one of history's most remarkable economic transformations, evolving from post-war devastation to becoming Europe's leading economy.

Key aspects of the recovery include:

  • Implementation of the Marshall Plan impact on West Germany providing $1.5 billion in aid
  • Erhard's economic reforms 1948 introducing the Deutschmark and establishing a social market economy
  • Dramatic industrial output increase of 50% following currency reform
  • Achievement of near-full employment by 1960, with unemployment dropping from 10% to 1.2%
  • Establishment of strong banking controls and anti-trust measures
  • Development of co-determination policies promoting labor-management harmony
...

19/06/2023

205

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

View

Government Policies and Growth Factors

The German economic recovery was supported by multiple government initiatives and external factors. The creation of work schemes in 1950 and the Investment Aid Law of 1952 provided 3.2 billion in industrial development support. The Korean War created demand for German munitions, while limited military expenditure allowed resources to be directed toward economic growth.

Vocabulary: Antitrust Law - Legislation preventing the formation of business monopolies or cartels to ensure fair competition.

Highlight: Co-determination policies allowed workers to participate in management decisions, reducing industrial tensions.

Example: Germany's geographical advantages, including access to seaports and raw materials, contributed to trade success.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

View

Economic Miracle (1955-1966)

By the mid-1950s, Germany had become the world's third-largest trading power, with average economic growth of 8% throughout the period. Industrial development increased by 150%, exemplified by the success of companies like Volkswagen.

Quote: "Average economic growth reached 12% in 1955, demonstrating the extraordinary pace of recovery."

Highlight: The period saw near-full employment with unemployment below 1% by the 1960s.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

View

Period of Economic Challenge (1966-1989)

The economic miracle faced challenges in the mid-1960s when wages and government spending outpaced production. The period saw significant reforms including the Stabilization Law of 1967 and amendments to Article 109 of the Basic Law.

Definition: Stabilisation Law - Legislation formalizing cooperation between employers, employees, and state intervention during economic crises.

Example: Government budget doubled between 1955-1965, contributing to economic pressures.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

View

Brandt's Social Reforms

Significant social welfare improvements were implemented under Brandt's leadership. These included pension increases, expanded healthcare coverage, and substantial increases in education funding.

Highlight: Education expenditure increased by 300%, while social welfare spending rose from 25% to 33%.

Example: Pension reforms included 5% increases for wounded veterans and 16% for widows.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

View

Oil Crises and Economic Challenges

The 1973 and 1978 oil crises significantly impacted the German economy, requiring 17 billion in additional import costs. This period saw the implementation of "Concerted Action" for economic planning and resulted in unemployment rising to 4.7% by 1975.

Definition: Concerted Action - A coordinated economic planning approach involving workers, employers, and state cooperation.

Highlight: Despite challenges, Germany maintained its position as a leading economic power through strategic reforms and social welfare investments.

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History

205

19 Jun 2023

6 pages

How Germany Got Back on Its Feet After WWII

D

Darcy

@darc.y139

The German economic recovery post-WWII represents one of history's most remarkable economic transformations, evolving from post-war devastation to becoming Europe's leading economy.

Key aspects of the recovery include:

  • Implementation of the Marshall Plan impact on West Germanyproviding $1.5 billion... Show more

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Government Policies and Growth Factors

The German economic recovery was supported by multiple government initiatives and external factors. The creation of work schemes in 1950 and the Investment Aid Law of 1952 provided 3.2 billion in industrial development support. The Korean War created demand for German munitions, while limited military expenditure allowed resources to be directed toward economic growth.

Vocabulary: Antitrust Law - Legislation preventing the formation of business monopolies or cartels to ensure fair competition.

Highlight: Co-determination policies allowed workers to participate in management decisions, reducing industrial tensions.

Example: Germany's geographical advantages, including access to seaports and raw materials, contributed to trade success.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Economic Miracle (1955-1966)

By the mid-1950s, Germany had become the world's third-largest trading power, with average economic growth of 8% throughout the period. Industrial development increased by 150%, exemplified by the success of companies like Volkswagen.

Quote: "Average economic growth reached 12% in 1955, demonstrating the extraordinary pace of recovery."

Highlight: The period saw near-full employment with unemployment below 1% by the 1960s.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Period of Economic Challenge (1966-1989)

The economic miracle faced challenges in the mid-1960s when wages and government spending outpaced production. The period saw significant reforms including the Stabilization Law of 1967 and amendments to Article 109 of the Basic Law.

Definition: Stabilisation Law - Legislation formalizing cooperation between employers, employees, and state intervention during economic crises.

Example: Government budget doubled between 1955-1965, contributing to economic pressures.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Brandt's Social Reforms

Significant social welfare improvements were implemented under Brandt's leadership. These included pension increases, expanded healthcare coverage, and substantial increases in education funding.

Highlight: Education expenditure increased by 300%, while social welfare spending rose from 25% to 33%.

Example: Pension reforms included 5% increases for wounded veterans and 16% for widows.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Oil Crises and Economic Challenges

The 1973 and 1978 oil crises significantly impacted the German economy, requiring 17 billion in additional import costs. This period saw the implementation of "Concerted Action" for economic planning and resulted in unemployment rising to 4.7% by 1975.

Definition: Concerted Action - A coordinated economic planning approach involving workers, employers, and state cooperation.

Highlight: Despite challenges, Germany maintained its position as a leading economic power through strategic reforms and social welfare investments.

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)
Problems with economy post-war:
industrial output only 1/3 of pre-war levels
● currency collapse
• bartering o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Economic Recovery (1945-1955)

The immediate post-war period presented severe economic challenges for Germany. Industrial production had plummeted to just one-third of pre-war levels, while currency collapse led to widespread bartering instead of monetary transactions. Unemployment reached 2 million people, creating significant social strain.

Highlight: The Marshall Plan of 1948 provided crucial financial support of $1.5 billion to prevent communist influence and support recovery.

Definition: Social Market Economy - A system combining free market principles with government regulation to ensure social welfare, characterized by the end of monopolies while maintaining government oversight.

Example: The currency reform replacing the Reichsmark with the Deutschmark helped stabilize the economy and encourage investment.

Quote: "Industrial output increased by 50% following the reforms, while unemployment fell from 10% to 1.2% by 1960."

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Stefan S

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user