East And West Germany 1949-63 Flashcards
Failures of East German economic policy:
Targets were missed 1951-9 in steel and lignite
Quantity was emphasised at the expense of quality
Consumer goods were neglected and the rigid EG economy was unresponsive to what consumers wanted
Production targets caused worker discontent, leading to emigration and the unrest of 1953
Successes of East German economic policy:
Industrial production doubled during the First 5 Year Plan
Targets were met 1951-9 in iron, sulphuric acid and cement
EG economy grew by 12% 1958-9
Accommodation was cheap
Why East German social policy succeed in creating a “workers” paradise?
Workplace based provision of medical, childcare and leisure facilities were important for many EG workers
Wages were more equal than in capitalist WG
With food, accommodation and transport all heavily subsided, healthcare at least theoretically free and employment guaranteed all EG’s had a decent standard of living
Why East German social policy did not succeed in creating a “workers” paradise?
Shortage of high quality consumer goods led to corruption with access to them depending on connections and possession of Western money
As wages were lower than in WG, both parents had to work; this led to children complaining of their parents spending too little time with them
Working conditions were often appalling, e.g. In the uranium mines in Wismut health and safety standards were fire and threats were used to force workers to work there
Why did West Germany enjoy an “economic miracle” between 1949-63?
Currency reform and low inflation
Rebuilding of Germany’s industrial base
Ludwig Erhard (economics minister)
The Marshall Plan
Recovery of world trade
Good labour relations
Immigration
Agricultural efficiency
Political stability
Why did Adenauer stay in power for so long?
Adenauer’s personal role
Strengths of the CDU
Support of other parties
Weaknesses of the SPD opposition
Foreign policy successes
The discrediting of extremism
How successful was Adenauer’s foreign policy?
Highly successful in integrating Germany with her Western European neighbours, especially the French, the Netherlands and Belgium as shown by the formation of the Organisation for European Economic co-operation
Policy of integrating with Western Europe, GB and the USA boosted trade and helped to secure Marshall Aid, contributing to the economic miracle
When was East Germany formed:
7 October 1949
What is East Germany’s full name:
German Democratic Republic
Capital city of East Germany:
East Berlin
Who were allies to East Germany:
Soviet Union - member of the Warsaw Pact from 1955
Domestic policies of East Germany:
Communist political and economic system modelled on the USSR
One party socialist economy
Led by Walter Ulbricht
