Economy: Creating a social market economy Flashcards
Who served as economics minister when the FRG was established under Adenauer? - FRG
Ludwig Erhard
What type of economy did Erhard favour as opposed to command economy? - FRG
Social market economy: lowering taxes and increasing deregulation
What was the economic priority from 1945-49? - FRG
Recovery from the war
How did the social market economy help recover Germany from war? - FRG
- Wages stayed fixed to help businesses recover/establish themselves
- Rationing on all but the most essential items (e.g bread and milk powder)
Why was economic recovery slow? - FRG
Due to the extent of damage inflicted from WW2
Why was there difficulties following the creation of a new currency? - FRG
The Reichsmark was dropped for the Deutschmark and there was a limited supply of DM in circulation.
This was to avoid inflation.
How much did unemployment increase from 1948 to 1950? Why did it increase? - FRG
1948: 442,000
1950: 1.8 million
The lack of monetary supply meant that paying wages was difficult for many small/medium sized businesses.
What was the Marshall Plan and what role did it play in Germany’s post-war economic recovery? - FRG
A US sponsored program that funded improvements to infrastructure and industrial development.
How significant an impact on economic recovery did the fact that most of Germany’s infrastructure remained largely intact have? - FRG
Germany had the wealthiest European economy in the Nazi period and many industrial plants had been unaffected by wartime destruction.
What state was Germany in economically in the immediate post-war period? How did this affect the distribution of Marshall Aid in Europe? - FRG
- German currency was largely worthless and a barter economy operated.
- Food was rationed and most people were surviving on less than 1,500 calories per day.
To what extent did the economy of the Western zones improve from 1948 onwards? Which factors contributed to this? - FRG
The index of industrial production in the US and British zones (Bizonia) rose from 51% of 1936 levels in January 1948 to 75% by December 1948.
Factors:
- Currency
- Tax reform
- Introduction of free market forces than Marshall Aid
What was the new currency introduced in the Western zones of Germany? Why was it introduced? - FRG
Deutschmark introduced on the 20th June 1948.
- It was introduced in far less quantities.
Why? The Reichsmark wasn’t valuable, practically worthless.
How and why was the Rentenmark exchanged for the Deutschmark at different rates for different assets? What was the purpose of this? - FRG
How - Private citizens could initially exchange RM60 to DM40 and wages were converted at a rate of DM1 to RM1, other assets were changed at far less generous rates.
- Savings: converted at RM100 to DM6.5
- Debts to the value of RM400 billion were wiped out.
Purpose - This reform was designed to facilitate spending and get the economy moving.
Why was giving large deposits of Deutschmarks to banks to loan to businesses to develop production such a shrewd economic move? - FRG
Entrepreneurs had been reluctant to invest in the light of post-war uncertainties.
After the currency reform, however, industrial output increased by 50%, largely as a result of this willingness to invest and produce goods.
What did Erhard abolish/announce on the 20th June 1948? - FRG
He abolished price controls and announced the relaxation of rationing.
Why did Erhard abolish price controls and rationing? - FRG
He believed that if prices found their own levels, producers would have more incentive to produce and farmers to send their food to markets.
Therefore, goods would return to markets.
How successful was Erhard’s ending of price controls? - FRG
Most people could afford goods which re-emerged in the shops because they have been hoarding the worthless currency which couldn’t buy much and could convert it into Deutschmark.
What economic impact did Erhard’s ending of price controls have? - FRG
Prices rose, but they could buy goods with their new Deutschmarks.
The black market disappeared.
From 1950 onwards, by what percentage was tax for those on average income? - FRG
18% when in 1948 it had been as high as 85%.
What was the highest rate of tax for those with incomes of more than DM 250,000? - FRG
95%
What was the purpose of Erhard’s tax reforms? - FRG
To allow businesses to retain enough profit to reinvest in their operations whilst individuals had more disposable income.
It was also part of broader efforts to rebuild public confidence in the economy and government post-war.
How did Erhard’s tax reforms kickstart the economy from 1950 onwards? - FRG
Absenteeism from work was radically reduced from an average of 9.5 hours per week to less than 2 hours.
- Ensured more productivity and the index of industrial production rose significantly.
- This was partly due to the fact people were no longer queuing, bartering for food.
In 1950 alone, what was the growth rate of industrial production? - FRG
25%
By what % did wages rise from 1949-55 as a result of Erhard’s reforms? - FRG
80%
What was the ‘social market economy’? - FRG
An economic system which combines a free market (market based on supply and demand) with some government control and financial help for people who are ill, unemployed, etc.
It was a middle ground between capitalism and socialism.
What was the rationale behind a ‘social market economy’? - FRG
An end to monopolies or cartels, where a few large companies controlled the market, and a fairer tax system.
What were businesses allowed to do as a result of the ‘social market economy’? - FRG
- Develop independently
- Set their own prices and wages
What was the state responsible for in a ‘social market economy’? - FRG
- Monitor the economy
- Ensure fair competition
- Intervene to protect the most vulnerable members of society through effective measures of social welfare
What was the unemployment rate in 1960? - FRG
1.3 million
- As opposed to 11.6 million in 1950.
By 1960, what % of income did private savings take up as opposed to its % in 1950? - FRG
1960 - 9%
1950 - 3.2%
What did growing consumer confidence result in for the economy? - FRG
Further demands for goods
How did the government combat the initial problem of unemployment in 1950? - FRG
Work creation schemes
What did the Investment Aid Law (1952) entail? - FRG
A government subsidy of DM 3.2 billion in order to facilitate industrial investment, particularly to prevent bottlenecks in production and supply.
How did the government deal with the destruction that occurred during WW2? - FRG
Rapid rebuilding programmes
What was reduced through the emergence of the ECSC and the EEC? - FRG
Germany’s protective tariffs
What 1957 law protected the development of economic monopolies? - FRG
Anti-Trust Law.
- It was designed to prevent and dismantle cartels.
What economic controls ensured a strong currency? - FRG
Banking controls
In 1957, what was the central bank given the power to do? - FRG
Raise interest rates or control the circulation of money within the economy, helping control inflation
Why did the growing world economy enhance the FRG’s economic growth? - FRG
It saw a growing demand for exports from the FRG.
Why was the FRG’s lack of involvement in the Cold War beneficial for the FRG’s economic growth? - FRG
They weren’t hampered by excessive spending on rearmament during the Cold War period which meant more finances were available for investment within the economy.
What economic foundations benefitted Germany’s economic growth? - FRG
- Good sea ports
- Abundance of raw materials eg, coal
- An educated, skilled workforce.
On a global scale, how large was the FRG’s economy by 1960? - FRG
It was the 3rd largest in the world
What type of industrial goods within Germany had a good reputation for quality and value?
Machinery, vehicles and electrical equipment
In the 1950s, what did manufacturers primarily produce for? - FRG
Export
What did the FRG’s trade deficit do throughout the decade? - FRG
Maintain a favourable balance
What was the national income in 1960 as opposed to 1950? - FRG
1960 - DM 1633 billion
1950 - DM 845 billion
By what % did the FRG’s share of world trade grow from 1965-1975? - FRG
1.3%
By the 1960s, what had the FRG achieved in regards to employment? - FRG
Full employment.
Not only for Germany’s initial population but also for a considerable influx from elsewhere like the 2 million East Germans who had fled from the GDR.
What % of coal and iron production did the FRG own/control by the 1960s? - FRG
40%
What economic issue did the FRG face at the beginning of the 1960s?
Economic growth began to slow, leading to a recession in 1965.
The recession was considered minor compared to the Great Depression.
What was the unemployment rate in the FRG in 1966?
3.2% of the workforce.
This rate fell to 0.8% in 1967.
What psychological impact did the Great Depression have on FRG citizens?
It deeply damaged the prosperous image of the Republic.
Many citizens remembered the hardships of the Great Depression.
What trend in wages occurred after 1958 in the FRG?
Wages began to rise faster than productivity.
This created a risk of inflation and threatened price stability.