FRG Economy Flashcards
which industries were banned at the beginning of the FRG?
war related industry to make sure that war did not happen again
how did Germany pay its reparations?
reparations were taken in equipment and machinery
how did the French and Soviets take reparations?
they destroyed most remaining factories which made economic recovery difficult
what was the problem with the Reichsmark after the war?
it was completely worthless no wages became worthless too
why were refugees a short term problem?
they needed to be housed and also rationed with food
what was Dachau concentration camp used for after the war?
to house refugees
how much money was given by the Marshall Plan in 1948?
$1.4 million
what did the creation of the DM do for Germany?
- helped stabilise the economy
- break up the black market
- led to the Soviets making their own currency
- further polarisation from the Soviet zone
who became the Director of Economic Administration?
Ludwig Erhard
what kind of economy did Erhard believe in?
a social market economy
which is a free market economy which offered social support for the poor
what replaced the RM?
the Deutschmark
when did the DM replace the RM?
June 1948
when was rationing ended in the FRG?
June 1948
what did the change in currency lead to?
- people stopped hoarding
- shops started selling consumer goods
- people had more confidence in currency and stocks
- wages meant something
what was the Equalisation of Burdens Act 1952?
they had a tax on all assets and the money generated was spent on compensating those that had lost everything
a LEFT WING policy
why did wages stay fixed until 1948?
to help companies deal with a rise in prices and a rise in wages
what was a problem with Erhard’s early economic reform?
many companies could not replace workers
some businesses could not afford to pay their workers after the currency change
how high was unemployment in 1949?
13.5%
what showed that Germany was focussing on consume r goods?
- steel production doubled by the end of the 50s
- car production in 1959 was 4.5x greater than in 1950
who disliked the social market economy?
the Economic Council
the Bundestag
Britain
what did labour union leaders believe would happen with a social market economy?
more exploitation of workers by companies
who supported the social market economy?
the US
they had experience with their New Deal