Reasons For Unification - Differing Levels Of Prosperity Flashcards
What was the GDRs economy like?
It had failed to develop in a suitable fashion and was facing significant difficulties by 1980s
Where were the main industrial lands in Germany?
In the Ruhr and Saarland (FRG)
GDR was mainly agricultural so there was less money to be made
What did the GDR lack?
Any major areas of raw materials
What was the GDRs population like?
Small and declining from the 1980s
What was the GDR committed to giving its citizens but what was the limitation of this?
A generous welfare state which was becoming increasingly unaffordable
Why did the GDR have the worst environmental conditions in Europe?
It relied on brown oil which was highly polluting
What were the levels of CO2 and SO2 like in the East?
Highest in the world
By 1989, what was the life expectancy of GDR citizens compared to FDR citizens?
Life expectancy of GDR citizen was 2.5 years lower for men and 7 years lower for women
In October 1989, what did an SED report say that exports needed to increase by in order to stabilise the country’s dept?
DDM9 million
