After World War II, Germany was a ruined state with an incredibly bleak future. The country was occupied by four nations, and soon it will be divided into two parts by the Berlin Wall. But by 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, and Germany reunited again, this was the envy of much of the world. Germany had the third largest economy in the world, second only to Japan and the United States in terms of GDP.
The rise of Germany became known throughout the world as a German economic miracle. Here he was also christened Wirtscaftswunder. How did this happen?
Background
At the end of World War II, much of Germany was in ruins. Most of the country's infrastructure was destroyed. The city of Dresden was completely destroyed. The population of Cologne declined from 750,000 to 32,000. Housing stock decreased by 20%. Food production was half that before the war; industrial production declined by a third. Most of the population aged 18 to 35, those who could do the hard work to rebuild the country, were either killed or maimed.
During the war, Hitler introduced food rations, limiting his civilian population, forcing him to consume no more than 2,000 calories per day. After the war, the Allies continued this food rationing policy and limited their consumption even further: from 1,000 to 1,500 calories. Price controls for goods and services have led to shortages and a huge black market. The German currency, the Reichsmark, became completely useless, as a result of which the population was forced to resort to the exchange of goods and services.
Walter Eiken
Perhaps the most important person in Germany's stunning revival was Walter Euken. The son of a Nobel Prize winner in literature, he studied economics at the University of Bonn. After the end of World War I, Euken began teaching at his alma mater. He eventually moved to the University of Freiburg.
He gained followers at the school, which became one of the few places in Germany where Hitler’s opponents could express their views. But, more importantly, it was here that he began to develop his economic theories, which became known as the Freiburg School, Ordoliberalism, or the “Social Free Market”.
Concept
Oiken's ideas are firmly rooted in the camp of market capitalism, and have also enabled the government to participate in ensuring that this system is effective for as many people as possible. For example, through the introduction of strict rules that prevent the formation of cartels or monopolies.
He also supported the creation of a strong central government independent of the government, which focused on using monetary policy to maintain price stability, largely reflecting the very ideas Milton Friedman became famous for.
This type of system seems perfectly normal today, but at that time it looked pretty radical. It is necessary to take into account the conditions of the era in which Euken developed his ideas. The Great Depression, which swallowed the whole globe, hit Germany especially hard; hyperinflation significantly destroyed the economy and led to an increase in Hitler’s influence. Many believed that socialism is an economic theory that will cover the whole world.
Erhard's influence
While the economy of West Germany was in its infancy, a heated debate began about the direction of the fiscal policy of the new state. Many, including union leaders and members of the Social Democratic Party, wanted to have a system that still retained state control. But Ouken’s protégé, a man named Ludwig Erhard, began to gain popularity among the American troops, who still actually controlled Germany.
Erhard, a World War I veteran who attended business school, was a largely inconspicuous person who worked as a researcher in an organization that was involved in the restaurant industry. But in 1944, when the Nazi party still controlled Germany, Erhard wrote an essay discussing the financial situation of Germany, where it was already assumed that the Nazis lost the war. His work eventually reached the US intelligence forces, who soon spotted him. And as soon as Germany surrendered, he was appointed to the post of Minister of Finance of Bavaria, and then he became director of the economic council of the still occupied western part of Germany.
First steps
Having gained political influence, having actually brought to life the German economic miracle, Erhard began to make efforts to return the economy of West Germany to life. Firstly, he played a big role in the formation of a new currency. In addition, significant tax cuts have been undertaken in an attempt to stimulate spending and investment.
It was planned to introduce the currency on June 21, 1948. Erhard also decided to conduct an extremely controversial move on the same day. He was almost universally criticized for this decision.
Reasons for the German economic miracle
Researchers distinguish the following:
- According to the Morgenthau plan, the country was demilitarized; accordingly, no money was spent on armament and maintenance of the army.
- Significant production capacity has been preserved.
- The introduction of the latest technology led to a rapid increase in labor productivity, which was one of the foundations of the German economic miracle.
- With growing demand for food and consumer goods, light industry developed.
- Displaced persons provided the country with relatively cheap labor.
- The inflow of investment, including according to the Marshall Plan, contributed to the development of the economy.
Key events
From the point of view of historical development, the German and Japanese economic miracles can be put on one step. After the Second World War ended, both countries turned out to be the losing side, with heavily damaged economies occupied by the Allies. At the same time, they were able to recover, bypassing many victorious countries.
Considering briefly the German economic miracle, it should be noted that it is a special type of economic system, the effectiveness of which was ensured by a combination of liberal market mechanisms and targeted credit and tax policies.
This system included a whole range of measures.
- 1949-1950 were a shock period: the money supply decreased, prices were liberalized, which led to their growth and some increase in unemployment. The reforms were accompanied by some tough government measures. The volume of agricultural production began to increase, the role of animal husbandry increased.
- Since 1951, the revival of the economy begins. GDP growth amounted to 9-10% (1953-1956 - 15%). Due to export growth, gold reserves were forming.
In fact, the German economic miracle is connected with the rule of the CDU / CSU block, which, after the proclamation of the Federal Republic of Germany, represented the head of the government Konrad Adenauer. In 1963, this post was taken by Ludwig Erhard.
In the first five years, the country's national income was doubled, in the next seven (by 1961) - tripled. During this time, population incomes tripled, unemployment fell significantly (from 8.5% in 1949 to 0.7% in 1962).
results
Almost overnight, West Germany came to life. Stores were immediately filled with goods, as people realized that the new currency was valuable. Barter quickly stopped; the black market has ceased to exist. People again got an incentive to work, the glorious industriousness of the Germans returned.
In May 1948, the Germans missed about 9.5 hours of work per week, desperately spending their time looking for food and other necessities. But in October, just a few weeks after the introduction of the new currency and the removal of price controls, this number dropped to 4.2 hours a week. In June, the country's industrial production was about half its level in 1936. By the end of the year, it was close to 80%.
Also, the revival of Germany and the development of the German economic miracle contributed to the European recovery program, better known as the Marshall Plan. This act, drafted by US Secretary of State George Marshall, allowed the United States to allocate 13 billion dollars to European countries affected by World War II, with a significant portion of this money going to Germany.
The German economic miracle continued for many years. By 1958, the country's industrial production was four times higher than just ten years ago.